She stopped suddenly and laughed at her own anxiety and confusion.
"He's here somewhere—I just can't find him—help me, men!"
She hadn't spoken his name, in her eager search for his loved face. She kept lifting the cloth from a basket of provisions which she had cooked that morning.
"I've got his breakfast here—poor boy—I expect he's hungry."
She had lost all consciousness of the crowd now. She was talking to herself, trying to keep her courage up.
The President looked into the emaciated faces before him and lifted his long arm in solemn salutation.
"Soldiers of the South:
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this tribute of your loyalty. You were offered your freedom in prison at any moment if you would take the oath and forswear your allegiance to the South. You deliberately chose the living death to the betrayal of your faith. I stand with uncovered head before you. I am proud to be the Chief Executive of such men!"
Again they cheered.
The old mother with her basket was searching again for her boy.