“No, no, no,” said the General, shaking his head.
“Yes, yes, yes,” laughed the little lady.
They lingered long over that quiet, pleasant tea; and then, after she had rang for a servant, and had the table cleared, she went to the piano and sang and played to the old gentleman for an hour or more.
She sang all her favorite comic songs, but carefully eschewed the sentimental ones; for she wished to raise his spirits and not to melt his heart. Towards the last of her singing he came and stood behind her; and although he did not know enough of the notes to turn the pages for her at the proper moment, he stood and beat time to the music and sometimes joined in the chorus.
At last, when she thought he had had enough of it, she arose and closed the piano.
Then, after an interval of a few minutes, she took her Bible and laid it on the table before him.
He bowed his head, opened it and read a chapter aloud. And then they two joined in offering up their evening worship.
“Well, my darling,” said General Lyon, as he arose to bid her good-night, “I have to thank you for much comfort. This first evening that I dreaded so much has passed off very pleasantly. God bless you, my child.” And so he withdrew from the room.
Drusilla sat on for a little while gazing dreamily into the fire, and then she also retired to rest, drawing her sleeping infant to her bosom.
Very early the next morning Drusilla arose, dressed and went down-stairs to make sure that one room at least of all that had been thrown into confusion by the wedding should now be in order for the General’s breakfast.