"Oh, Major," said I, "what is the news?"
"Firing down in Virginia, -" said the major, laconically.
"Is it true, that a battle has been won by McDowell?"
"I wish it were," said he; "but in general it is safe not to speak of a fight till it is over."
"Then it is not over?"
"I have not heard that it is."
"But they tell me a fight has been won."
"They tell every conceivable thing in war-time," said the major. "Don't you know that? It is safe to believe nothing."
"Has Johnston joined Beauregard?"
"I am afraid he has. The advices seem to put that beyond disbelief."