“‘Selina, did you see that tall dark officer—the one that kept smiling at us? Well, he is my best friend, and I want you to fall in love with him. He knows all about you and I showed him your picture a long time ago, so he knows you quite well, you see.’
“I laughed merrily at Becky’s match-making.
“‘Oh,’ she sighed, as her thought rushed to something else. ‘Wasn’t it just like Providence that we got Imp and all of those supplies hidden away in time?’
“‘Yes, but it is not necessary with the rebels in command of the place,’ I said, using the term ‘rebel’ quite unconsciously, for the first time.
“Rebecca noticed it, too, but said nothing at the time.
“‘Well, I showed you just how to get in and out of that cave in case you are the only one who can take care of Imp. One never knows what may happen, but you, being my guest, are safe with our friends, and, being a Yankee, will be taken care of in case the enemy take the place. But, remember, if Imp is to be taken from me, I would rather you had him than anyone on earth—and you must assert your ownership if necessary to take him home with you.’
“That was a great reunion, that dinner! Besides all of the young soldiers, their families were there, listening to their account of the struggle.
“The happy families had finished dinner and were about to have coffee when a colored boy raced up the steps of the piazza. His face was gray with fear as he gasped, ‘De Yanks am comin’—oh, dey am comin’ pell mell foh dis house! oh, Lud, Lud!’
“‘Tell all the folks, Jeremiah, quick!’ shouted Becky, as she sprang forward to warn her friends.
“‘The horses—quick, Tim! The horses—rush them to the house!’ yelled Newell, as he grabbed his gun and threw on his cap.