Part 44 (2/2)
”No,” replied the captain, ”I wished her to eat her meal first in peace and comfort; therefore I am sorry you spoke, as I see you have roused her curiosity.”
”Yes, papa; mayn't I know what you are talking about?” asked Lulu, giving him a disturbed, rather apprehensive look. ”Oh does the court meet to-day?”
”It's been meeting for several days,” returned Max, ”and the trial of our burglars comes up to-day.”
”And we'll have to attend as witnesses?”
”Yes; but you needn't be alarmed; you ought to be quite used to it since your experience in the magistrate's office,” answered Max sportively.
”I don't think I'd ever get used to it, and I just wish there was some way to keep out of it!” sighed Lulu.
”But as there isn't, my little girl will make up her mind to go through with it bravely,” the captain said, giving her an encouraging smile.
”I'll try, papa,” she answered, but with a sigh that sounded rather hopeless.
Violet and Grace both expressed their sympathy, but were sure Lulu would do herself credit, as she had on the former occasion.
Lulu brightened a little and went on with her meal. ”How soon do we have to go papa?” she asked.
”In about half an hour after breakfast,” he answered. ”That will take us to the town for the opening of to-day's session of the court. We may not be called on for our testimony for hours, but must be at hand in case we are wanted.”
Lulu wasted no more breath in vain wishes or objections, but her usual flow of spirits had deserted her. As they drove toward the town her father noticed that she was very quiet and that her face wore a look of patient resignation and fort.i.tude as if she had made up her mind to go courageously through a difficult and trying ordeal.
”Don't be anxious and troubled, dear child,” he said, taking her hand and pressing it affectionately in his; ”you are not going alone into that crowded court room.”
”No, papa; and I'm ever so glad you will be with me.”
”And not only I, dear, but a nearer, dearer, more powerful Friend. Jesus says, 'Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the World.' He says it to every one of his disciples, and that always must include this time that you are dreading.
”He will be close beside you and you can ask him at any instant for the help you need to know exactly what to say and do; the help to be calm and collected, and to answer clearly and perfectly truthfully every question put to you.”
”Papa, it's so nice to think of that!” she exclaimed, looking up brightly and with glad tears s.h.i.+nning in her eyes; ”thank you so very much for reminding me of it. Now I shall not be at all afraid, even if the lawyers do ask me hard, puzzling questions, as I've read in the papers, that they do to witnesses, sometimes.”
”No, you need not be afraid; I am not afraid for you; for I am sure you will be helped to say just what you ought; and if--as I believe will happen--you are enabled to acquit yourself well, remember, when people commend you for it, that having done so by help from on high, the honor is not fairly due to you, and you have no reason to be conceited and vain in consequence.”
”I hope I'll be kept from being that, papa,” she returned. ”I don't think that for anybody with as good a memory as mine, having told a straightforward truthful story is anything to be puffed up about.”
”No, certainly not.”
The wealth and standing in the community of Captain Raymond and his wife's relatives; caused a widespread interest in the case about to be tried; especially in connection with the fact that he and two of his children were to be placed upon the witness stand to testify to the ident.i.ty of the burglars and their attempt to rob his house.
The Court House was crowded, and there were very many of the better cla.s.s of people among the spectators, including members of the families residing at the Oaks, the Laurels, the Pines, Ion, Fairview and Roselands.
Dr. Conly, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Travilla and Mr. Leland were there when the Woodburn party arrived; and presently Grandpa Dinsmore and his wife, and Cousin Ronald, who was still staying at Ion, followed.
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