JENNY. Oh! Of course. [Coming down.] It is equally indifferent to me; Captain Heartsease is in command of the first troop. [Trumpet Signal No. 52.] Column right! [She runs up to road. Looks.] They are coming up the hill.
GERTRUDE. At my very door! And Kerchival West in command! I will not stand here and see them pass. The despatch for Captain Thornton! I will carry it to him as soon as they are gone. [Exit up veranda, the band and chorus increasing in volume.
JENNY. Cavalry! That's the branch of the service I was born in; I was in a fort at the time—on the Plains. Sergeant Barket always said that my first baby squall was a command to the garrison; if any officer or soldier, from my father down, failed to obey my orders, I court-martialed him on the spot. I'll make 'em pass in review. [Jumping up on the rustic seat.] Yes! [Looking off.] There's Captain Heartsease himself, at the head of the first troop. Draw sabre! [With parasol.] Present! [Imitating the action. Music. The band and chorus now full and loud; she swings parasol in time. Trumpet Signal No. 40. Band and chorus suddenly cease.] Halt! Why, they are stopping here. [Trumpet Signal No. 38.] Dismount! I—I wonder if they are going to—I do believe—[Looking left eagerly. Trumpet Signal No. 17.] Assembly of Guard Details! As sure as fate, they are going into camp here. We girls will have a jolly time. [Jumping down.] Ha—ha—ha—ha! Let me see. How shall I receive Captain Heartsease? He deserves a court-martial, for he stole my lace handkerchief—at Mrs. Grayson's reception—in Washington. He was called away by orders to the West that very night, and we haven't met since. [Sighs.] He's been in lots of battles since then; I suppose he's forgotten all about the handkerchief. We girls, at home, don't forget such things. We aren't in battles. All we do is to—to scrape lint and flirt with other officers.
Enter CAPTAIN HEARTSEASE, followed by COLONEL ROBERT ELLINGHAM; stops at gate.
HEARTSEASE. This way, Colonel Ellingham. [They enter. As they come down, HEARTSEASE stops suddenly, looking at JENNY; puts up his glasses.] Miss Buckthorn!
JENNY. Captain Heartsease!
HEARTSEASE. [Very quietly and with perfect composure.] I am thunderstruck. The unexpected sight of you has thrown me into a fever of excitement.
JENNY. Has it? [Aside.] If he gets so excited as that in battle, it must be awful. [Aloud.] Colonel Ellingham! [Crossing to him.
ELLINGHAM. Miss Buckthorn! You are visiting my sister? I am what may be called a visitor—by force—myself.
JENNY. Oh! You're a prisoner!