“I speak truly of him!”
“Elfie! let me say one word in Albert’s defence!”
“What is it?”
“He thinks he is right!”
“Oh, Alberta! how can he think so? How can any man think so.”
“He thinks he is right, as many a gallant leader in the Confederate army thinks! To his idea of right he has sacrificed all that he possesses on earth, as many a Southern patriot has done!”
“Alberta! we have talked of this before. We have been over and over the argument until my heart and soul are both sick of it! And besides, you may preach all day and yet you will never make me believe that light is darkness, or that treason is patriotism! Bosh! Who do you think is a fool?” snapped Elfie, abruptly turning her face away.
“I think every narrow-minded and prejudiced person is a fool, for that matter, Elfie! I do not wish to convince you of anything in particular, Elfie! I only wish to engage your charitable construction for those who happen to differ from you in opinion—and especially for the lover, of whom it pains you so much to think ill.”
Elfie made no reply, but with her face to the wall, continued to sob.
Alberta tried to soothe her, but in vain, for Elfie was inconsolable.