The men upon the porch looked at one another, and were silent. In the bright sunshine their faces showed pale and troubled, and when the sound of cheers came floating from the courthouse green, they started as if at the first report of cannon. Then, raising his hand, the Governor bared his head and spoke:—
“God bless Virginia, gentlemen,” he said.
The next week Champe came home from college, flushed with enthusiasm, eager to test his steel.
“It's great news, uncle,” were his first joyful words, as he shook the Major's hand.
“That it is, my boy, that it is,” chuckled the Major, in a high good-humour.
“I'm going, you know,” went on the young man lightly. “They're getting up a company in Leicesterburg, and I'm to be Captain. I got a letter about it a week ago, and I've been studying like thunder ever since.”
“Well, well, it will be a pleasant little change for you,” responded the old man. “There's nothing like a few weeks of war to give one an appetite.”
Mrs. Lightfoot looked up from her knitting with a serious face.
“Don't you think it may last months, Mr. Lightfoot?” she inquired dubiously. “I was wondering if I hadn't better supply Champe with extra underclothing.”