“Yes, I want you to tame him.”
“Well, I will try for your sake, though he’s a little older than any boy in my class. He must be over fifteen.”
“Just fifteen. I’m deeply interested in him. I am going to give him a good education. His father was a drunken Scotchman in my brigade, whose loyalty to me as his chief was so genuine and touching I couldn’t help loving him. He was a man of fine intellect and some culture. His trouble was drink. He never could get up in life on that account. I have an idea that he married his wife while on one of his drunks. She is from down in Robeson county, and he told me she was related to the outlaws who have infested that section for years. This boy looks like his mother, though he gets that red hair and those laughing eyes from his father. I want you to take hold of him and civilise him for me.”
“I’ll try, General. You know, I love boys.”
“You will find him rude and boisterous at first, but I think he’s got something in him.”
“I’ll send for him to come to see me Saturday.”
“Thank you, Madam. I must go. My love to Dr. Durham.”
The next Saturday when Mrs. Durham walked into her little parlour to see Allan, the boy was scared nearly out of his wits. He sprang to his feet, stammered and blushed, and looked as though he were going to jump out of the window.
Mrs. Durham looked at him with a smile that quite disarmed his fears, took his outstretched hand, and held it trembling in hers.
“I know we will be good friends, won’t we?”