CHAPTER VIII
AUNT SELINA’S CIVIL WAR STORY
The children thoroughly enjoyed their refreshments. Aunt Selina did not care for any, so she sat smiling as she watched them.
“As long as Flutey isn’t busy, wouldn’t it be nice to have her tell us a teeny-weeny bit of that war story?” ventured Dot Starr.
“Oh, yes! Please do! Flutey, do tell!” came from various directions.
“Why, that would be lovely, Aunt Selina, if you will,” added Mrs. Talmage.
Thus besieged, Aunt Selina decided to yield to the children.
“Let me see,” she began. “I must have been about eighteen when my dearest friend, Rebecca Crudup, invited me to spend Easter Holidays at her Southern home. We had been chums from the moment we met at Miss Wyland’s Seminary for Young Ladies, and the Christmas before the time I just mentioned, Rebecca had visited my home at Happy Hills. Mother liked Rebecca immensely, but she feared the fighting in the South might create trouble for me if I went with Becky. We reassured her, however, and an unwilling consent was written from home.
“A week before the vacation began, Becky received a letter asking her to start home as soon as she received the word, as important matters in the family had to be looked after.