The hater of whys turned upon her sister: "Nan, what's the matter?... Oh, now, yes, there is. What made you start when Miranda mentioned--Yes, you did. You're excited, you know you are. When we came in from the garden you and Flora were both--"
"Now, Connie--"
"Pshaw, Nan, I know he's been here, it's in your face. Who was with him; Charlie?"
"Yes. They just dropped in to say good-by. The battery's ordered to Virginia. Virginia hasn't seceded yet, but he feels sure she will before they can get there, and so do I. Don't you? If Kentucky and Maryland would only--"
"Now, Nan, just hush. When does he go?"
"To-morrow. But as to us"--the girl shrugged prettily while caressing her roses--"he's gone now."
"How did he talk?"
"Oh--quite as usual." The head bent low into the flowers. "In the one pretty way he has with all of us, you know."
Constance would not speak until their eyes met again. Then she asked, "Did Charlie and Flora give him any chance--to express himself?"
"Oh, Con, don't be foolish. He didn't want any. He as much as said so!"