Centreville:—A small town, the Union base in the first Battle of Bull Run.
Lewinsville:—A small town, north of Centreville.
Vienna:—A village in the Bull Run district.
Blair's Grave:—Robert Blair, a Scotch writer, published (1743) a poem in blank verse called "The Grave."
barbette guns:—Guns elevated to fire over the top of a turret or parapet.
minie-ball:—A conical ball plugged with iron, named after its inventor, Captain Minié, of France.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
Read the piece through without stopping, so that you can get the story. Then go back to the beginning and study with the help of the following questions:—
Compare the first sentence with the first sentence of Tennessee's Partner. What do you think of the method? What is the use of the first paragraph in Quite So? Why the long paragraph giving the setting? Is this a good method in writing a story? What had become of "Little Billy"? Who was "Johnny Reb"? What do you think of bringing in humorous touches when one is dealing with things so serious as war and battles? What does "Drop that!" refer to? Why does Strong change his tone? Note what details the author has selected in order to give a clear picture of "Quite So" in a few words. How does the conversation reveal the stranger's character? What is shown by the fact that "Quite So" does not write any letters? What is the purpose of the episode of "Muffin Fan"? What devices does the author use, in order to bring out the mystery and the loneliness of "Quite So"? Note how the author emphasizes the passage of time. Why does Bladburn finally tell his story? How does it reveal his character? Was Mary right in what she did? Why are some sentences in the text printed in italics? Was Bladburn right in leaving his home village without explanation? Why did he do so? What do you get from the sentence, "He never meant to go back to New England"? What is the impression made by the last sentence? Do you like the story?