"Civil war brings strange usages," the doctor smiled grimly, "and to-day's conduct cannot be judged by the standards of the past. I am sorry to shock your sensibilities, but you ladies must not believe all you hear."
"What scandal are you discussing so vigorously?" called Nancy from a near-by window seat.
Mrs. Bennett jumped perceptibly as Nancy's soft voice reached her. "Dear child, how you startle one! Have you been there long?" Her voice rose to a sharper key.
"Miss Nancy and I have just returned from the back parlor," volunteered her escort, a tall officer, wearing the red stripes of the artillery on his well-worn uniform. As he walked toward Mrs. Bennett, she detained him for a moment.
Goddard, who had been an interested listener to the doctor's defense of Nancy, rose from his seat on the sofa, and, seizing his opportunity, stepped over to the alcove and joined the young girl.
"How is my friend, Misery?" he asked.
"Very miserable, indeed, when I left him this afternoon. He does not enjoy being away from me."
"I dare swear he is not alone in that," laughed Goddard. "Won't you sing again, Miss Newton?"
"Not to-night. Are you, by chance, the Major Goddard whom my friend, John Gurley, is always talking and writing about?"
"Yes; John is in my regiment. We are chums, you know."