XII.
A HISTORY-EVENING AT OAKWOOD.
"G. W., stand up in front of me, and answer!"
G. W. took position and looked unflinchingly into the eyes of his Colonel.
The rapturous life at Montauk was a thing of the past—the little body-guard never could think of it without his heart aching with happiness.
It was the most glorious experience a boy ever had. The Colonel wondered how G. W. had escaped being utterly ruined, for people had lost their heads over him, and even stern army men had shown a soft side toward the dusky little fellow. However, G. W. was a real hero, and such you simply cannot ruin.
Now the scene was changed. The Colonel and G. W. were in the library of the home "up North;" they wore citizen's clothes and looked well and hearty.
"G. W., do you remember what you once told me a hero was?"
"Yes, sah."