In the Reign of Terror | Page 7

you see,
sir, when I go into the army and there is war, mother would be a great
deal more anxious."
"You mean, Harry," the doctor said with a smile, "that whether her
anxiety begins a little sooner or later does not make much difference."
"I don't think I quite meant that, sir," Harry said; "but yes," he added
frankly, after a moment's thought, "I suppose I did; but I really don't see
that supposing there were any troubles in France it could possibly make
any difference to me; even if there were a civil war, such as we had in
England, they would not interfere with boys."
"No, I don't see that it would make any difference, and the chance is so
remote that it need not influence our decision. Of course if war broke
out between the two countries the marquis would see that you were sent
back safely. Well, then, Harry, I am to consider that your decision is in
favour of your accepting this appointment."
"If you please, sir. I am sure it will be a capital thing for me, and I have
no doubt it will be great fun. Of course at first it will be strange to hear
them all jabbering in French, but I suppose I shall soon pick it up."
And so Mrs. Sandwith was informed by her husband that after talking it
over with Harry he had concluded that the proposed arrangement would

really be an excellent one, and that it would be a great pity to let such
an opportunity slip.
The good lady was for a time tearful in her forebodings that Harry
would be starved, for in those days it was a matter of national opinion
that our neighbours across the Channel fed on the most meagre of diet;
but she was not in the habit of disputing her husband's will, and when
the letter of acceptance had been sent off, she busied herself in
preparing Harry's clothes for his long absence.
"He ought to be measured for several suits, my dear," she said to her
husband, "made bigger and bigger to allow for his growing."
"Nonsense, my dear! You do not suppose that clothes cannot be
purchased in France! Give him plenty of under-linen, but the fewer
jackets and trousers he takes over the better; it will be much better for
him to get clothes out there of the same fashion as other people; the boy
will not want to be stared at wherever he goes. The best rule is always
to dress like people around you. I shall give him money, and directly he
gets there he can get a suit or two made by the tailor who makes for the
lads he is going to be with. The English are no more loved in France
than the French are here, and though Harry has no reason to be
ashamed of his nationality there is no occasion for him to draw the
attention of everyone he meets to it by going about in a dress which
would seem to them peculiar."
In due time a letter was received from Count Auguste de St. Caux,
stating that the marquis had requested him to write and say that he was
much gratified to hear that one of the doctor's own sons was coming
over to be a companion and friend to his boys, and that he was sending
off in the course of two days a gentleman of his household to Calais to
meet him and conduct him to Paris. On young Mr. Sandwith's arrival at
Calais he was to go at once to the Hotel Lion door and ask for M. du
Tillet.
During the intervening time Harry had been very busy, he had to say
good-bye to all his friends, who looked, some with envy, some with
pity, upon him, for the idea of a three years' residence in France was a
novel one to all. He was petted and made much of at home, especially
by his sisters, who regarded him in the light of a hero about to
undertake a strange and hazardous adventure.
Three days after the arrival of the letter of the marquis, Dr. Sandwith

and Harry started by stage for Dover, and the doctor put his son on
board the packet sailing for Calais. The evening before, he gave him
much good advice as to his behaviour.
"You will see much that is new, and perhaps a good deal that you don't
like, Harry, but it is better for you never to criticize or give a hostile
opinion about things; you would not like it if a French boy came over
here and made unpleasant remarks about English ways and manners.
Take things as they come and do as others do; avoid all