"Yes, we told him about you and the others, too."
"Well, what word did you get? Why don't you out with it, yer Riverence?"
The kind-hearted chaplain laughed and said, "I was just about to say, when you interrupted me, that after we had sent our message to Washington we did not expect to receive word in reply so soon. But the message has just come that the President has received our communication and—"
"The Saints presarve us!" broke in Dennis. "Won't you please tell us what's happened?"
"That's what I am telling you," continued the chaplain. "If you wouldn't interrupt me so frequently you would find out what I have come to say."
"Well, tell us, then!" said Dennis. And although every inmate was silent, the face of every one gave evidence of the eagerness with which he was waiting for the visitor's word.
"We have just received our message," began the chaplain once more, "and I confess that I have a feeling toward the President such as I never cherished before."
"But what did he say?" broke in Dennis.
"Be silent and I'll explain," said the chaplain. "We were not looking for an answer for several hours yet, but to our surprise the messenger has returned and has brought us word that President Lincoln has decided to—"
As the chaplain paused again, Dennis impatiently broke in, "For the love of the Saints in heaven tell us what he has decided to do! I can't stand much more o' this. It isn't the spache we want. It's to know what the Prisident said."