“Was there much excitement?” asked Virginia, after a short silence.
“Yes, a good deal. There were speeches at the court-house and a lot of committees were appointed to do a lot of things,” he explained vaguely.
“Who addressed the meeting? Did Mr. Benson?” she questioned. She knew he had more to tell her, but she knew he would tell it in his own way.
“I don't know, I didn't go in. There was more going on outside.” and then he fell silent again. He was thinking of Marian.
“What was the excitement, Stephen?” Virginia asked
“Captain McKeever was enlisting men. You see, President Lincoln has issued a call for men—”
“Did many enlist?”
“Yes, a good many, a hundred, I should say.”
“But you didn't wish to, Stephen?” she said, searching his face anxiously.
“Why do you think that?” he asked, to gain time.