“I don’t say it any oftener than he deserves it, miss,” retorted Sally, brushing her hair composedly. “He is all that valor and modesty can make him. I heard Friend Pendleton say once that humility was the sweetest flower that grew in the human breast. Fairfax thinks so little of himself; yet he is so brave, and modest, and kind; and his uncle declares that he fights like a tiger.”
“Yes?” gasped Peggy, regarding her friend with amazement. “He is all that. And what then, Sally?”
Sally laughed.
“I was just thinking, Peggy mine, that some time—oh, years and years from now, after the war is over, thee knows—we girls might want to make some additions to the Social Select Circle in the form of—— Well, partners for life,” she ended, blushing adorably.
“And was thee thinking of annexing Fairfax?” cried Peggy in a paroxysm of merriment. “Oh, Sally, Sally! that I should live to hear thee say such things!”
“I? Oh, no! I was thinking of Betty. Thee knows that he would require some management, he is so bashful, and Betty——”
“I am not so sure, Sally.” Peggy was laughing so that she could scarcely talk, but she continued mirthfully: “Has thee not noticed that he is always equal to an emergency, and that he is cool and collected in danger? Sally, Sally! thee’d best give o’er such match-making plans.”
“Well, I do think ’twould be monstrously nice,” said Sally. “So there!”
“For Sally?” teased Peggy.
“Nonsense!” ejaculated Sally, reddening.