I hid my face and we stood still. It was no time then to be dignified.
"How long?" - I whispered at last.
"Impossible to tell, you know. I could not meet you this evening. I must be off in an hour."
"To-night?"
"Yes."
There was another silence.
"What is General Patterson doing?" I ventured then.
"I suppose he has to keep Johnston in order. How long will you stay in Washington? - can you tell?"
"Till Dr. Sandford can travel. - He is no better."
"Well!" - and a breath of a sigh came then which went to my heart - "Something will be decided before a few days; and then we shall know a little better where we stand. I must go!"