Was the story a day's wait by Ernest Hemingway about bravery or fear?

I think this can be viewed from both standpoints. On one hand, the boy made the assumption he was going to die, when there was an extremely small chance he would. He did not ask questions to confirm his beliefs. On the other hand, he firmly believed in his mind that he would die, and wanted to do it with dignity. So, it depends on the way you look at it.