"I think not. They want you to remain alive. Unless you join the Confederates again, as you did in the battle the other day, it is not very likely that you will serve any more in the ranks; of course, you can do so if you insist upon it."
"Insist on what? Joining the Confederates?"
"No; insist on fighting in the ranks."
"I should feel it my duty to go into battle with the Eleventh unless I had other work at the time."
"Do you think it your duty to give your best powers to your cause, or your poorest?"
"Can I not do both?"
"No--not at all; you should study your important calling, and make an art of it."
"I dread it; to believe that I must become a regular spy is a terrible thought to me."
"Why so?"
"Well, Doctor, you know that I am peculiar."