The aid advanced and saluted. "Do you want any one, Colonel?"
"No, no. Don't want any one. What for? Celebrate it alone. Man enough for it."
Presently catching the eye of another officer, he again chuckled, "Hi! hi!"
The person thus addressed approached and saluted.
"I say," observed the Colonel, "I got letters last night addressed General Carter—Brigadier-General John T. Carter. What do you think of that?"
"I hope it means promotion," said the officer. "Colonel, do you think we shall go into quarters?"
"No, no; no go into quarters; no go into quarters for us. Played out—quarters. In ole, ole times, after fought a big battle, used to stop—look out good quarters, and stop. But now nix cum rouse the stop."
Back he reeled through the window, to sit down to his whiskey and water, amidst the laughter and rather scornful blandishments of the Secession lasses.
Nevertheless I must see him, decided Colburne. "Ask Colonel Carter," he said to an orderly, "if he can receive Captain Colburne, who brings letters and messages from Mrs. Carter."
In a minute the man returned, saluted and said, "The Colonel sends his compliments and asks you to walk in, sir."