"No brother could love you more than I do," I said. "Tammas and Marget raised me, too, so I'm really your brother." I laughed to hide my anger at Braxton Bragg and the turn affairs had taken.
She had lifted my hand with a loyal little gesture and pressed it to her cheek before I could withdraw it. "You'll come to see me, often, won't you, Mr. Jack? I need you to help me."
"Jack," I said, smiling at her, "just Jack from now on."
"Oh, but that's not respectful, and I'd not be wanting in respect for you for the world."
"I'll not call you Elsie then, any more," I answered, "nor make the request of you I'm going to make."
"Jack, then," she said. "And your request—it is already granted."
"That you'll not see Braxton Bragg alone until—well, until I have talked with you," I said earnestly.
"O—h," and her eyes opened wide. "Jack, why, of course. If he writes to me again I'll send the letter to you before I answer it."
"Bring it," I said; "I want to see it right away."
We rode back to the house.