"You will not scold me, uncle?"
"Silly child! do I ever scold you?"
"That is true! You are so kind."
"Come, then; speak out, little pet?"
"Well, uncle, these means——"
"These means are?"
"That you should take me with you every morning."
"Oh! oh!" said the general, whose brows became contracted; "do you know what you ask me, my dear child?"
"Why, a very natural thing, uncle, as I think."
The general made no reply; he reflected. The girl watched anxiously the fugitive traces of his thoughts upon his countenance.