Minuscule acts of bravery.

This was nearly too much for Emily. She really had to struggle with herself not to burst into tears. But somehow she managed it. If Sir Hector Anderson in faraway Bath had been present would he have said: 'Stout girl'? Yes, he would. And he would have been right too, for it is only in such minuscule acts of bravery as this that most of us ever have a chance to show our mettle.

[ J. G. Farrell: The Hill Station. ]