"Scouting duty. I've been on it for the past two months."
Mrs. Cary's hand went to her heart.
"A scout, Herbert! But, darling, why? It's so dangerous—so horrible—so—"
He put up his hand, with a forced smile, to check her, and broke in gayly.
"Ah, but think of the fun in it. It's like playing hide-and-go-seek with Virgie."
But his wife was not to be put off so lightly and she put her impelling hands on his arm.
Gary changed his tone. His voice deepened.
"They need me, dear," he said earnestly. "What does danger to one man mean when Dixie calls us all? And I'm doing work—good work. I've already given one battle to General Lee and now I have information that will give him another and a bigger one. Two nights ago I came through the Union lines. I ..."
Mrs. Cary rose unsteadily to her feet.
"Through the Yankee lines! Oh, Herbert. Not as a spy!"