“O my baby, heart of my heart, you must—I command it. Your father is gone. You must live and care for your poor mother—”
“Do it, boy,” Virginia whispered, “and give them the slip—fight the devil with fire—you must.”
“Please, Billy!” Marya pleaded.
Zonia slipped her arms around his neck.
The boy looked into the wistful face of the girl—bent and kissed her.
“All right, Zonia,” he cried steadily.
“I’ll do it for your sake and mother’s—”
“Sensible boy!” the Colonel cried. “Now attention!”
He clicked his heels as the guard fell in line behind him. With quick wit John Vassar took his place with the others.
“The ladies by my side, please, in honor of the ceremony,” the Colonel called.