"Yes, and that he feels poor. You know that if the General--"
The hearer lifted and dropped both arms: "Oh!--to be continued!"
"Well, I know, too, that he doesn't believe, anyhow, in soldiers marrying. I've never told you, sweet, but--if I hadn't cried so hard--Steve would have challenged Hilary Kincaid for what he said on that subject the night we were married!"
Anna straightened, flashed, and then dropped again as she asked, "Is that all you know?"
"No, I know what counts for more than all the rest; I know you're a terror to him."
Remotely in the terror's sad eyes glimmered a smile that was more than half satisfaction. "You might as well call him a coward," she murmured.
"Not at all. You know you've been a terror to every suitor you've ever had--except Fred Greenleaf; he's the only one you couldn't keep frightened out of his wits. Now this time I know it's only because you're--you're bothered! You don't know how you're going to feel--"
"Now, Con--"
"And you don't want to mislead him, and you're just bothered to death! It was the same way with me."
"It wasn't!" silently said Anna's lips, her face averted. Suddenly she turned and clutched her sister's hands: "Oh, Con, while we talk trifles Flora's home lies in ashes!... Yes, he told me so just now."