"But why should they suppress such news? The world must know."
She stopped suddenly—as if stunned by the thought that oppressed her.
She seized Mary's hand, and asked tensely:
"What do you think, dear? Has Virginia left the Union?"
A quick answer was on the young lips. She had a very clear opinion. She had talked to Stuart. And his keen mind had seen the inevitable. She didn't have the heart to tell her mother. She feigned a mind blank from weariness.
"I can't think, honey. I'm too tired."
Ben came back shaking his gray head.
"Nomum. Dey ain't no sign on de road yet."
The waiting wife and mother cried in an anguish she could not control.
"Why—why—why?"
Ben sought to distract her thoughts with the habit of house control. He spoke in his old voice of friendly scolding.