"Where's Cousin Belle?" asked Frank.
"I s'peck she's putting on her fine clothes for the General to see. Didn't she run when she heard he was here!"
"Willy!" said his mother, reprovingly.
"Well, she did, Ma."
His mother shook her head at him; but the General put his hand on the boy, and drew him closer.
"You say she ran?" he asked, with a pleasant light in his eyes.
"Yes, sirree; she did that."
Just then the door opened, and their Cousin Belle entered the room. She looked perfectly beautiful. The greetings were very cordial—to Hugh especially. She threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
"You young hero!" she cried. "Oh, Hugh, I am so proud of you!"—kissing him again, and laughing at him, with her face glowing, and her big brown eyes full of light. "Where were you wounded? Oh! I was so frightened when I heard about it!"
"Where was it? Show it to us, Hugh; please do," exclaimed both boys at once, jumping around him, and pulling at his arm.