And then Erminie paused, in doubt as to what she should say or do next.
Had the visitor been her own personal enemy coming to her in this seemingly inoffensive guise, she would have made her very welcome, and treated her very kindly.
But her country’s enemy was another affair. Had she the right to entertain a secessionist? Would it not be aiding and abetting secession?
Erminie hesitated in much distress of spirit. Her gentle heart pleaded for the worn and sorrowful-looking woman before her, but her scrupulous conscience warned her not to yield to these feelings.
While Erminie thus hesitated, the visitor turned to Elfie, and said, in surprised recognition:
“Why, this is Elfrida Fielding, is it not?”
“Yes, that is my name, and it is very nearly all that the confederates have left me,” answered Elfie, without even raising her eyes to the face of the questioner.
“And have you no welcome for me, Elfie?” sadly inquired Alberta.
“No. I should have no welcome for my grandmother, were the old lady a guerrilla’s wife,” relentlessly answered Elfie, averting her head.
“But I am no guerrilla. And I have taken the oath of allegiance, or you would not see me here,” said Alberta, with a strange, discordant laugh.