“Never mind, Aunt Virginia, he proposed all sorts of things, but nothing that fits this case. I'm a member of Captain McKeever's Company, and I shall remain a member as long as there's any need of it. I've given my word, and I've put my name on the muster-roll. I can't take back my word, and I can't take off my name; but we don't know yet how much of a war there is going to be, no one thinks it is going to amount to much. I wish you wouldn't take it so seriously!”
“Won't you tell me what Mr. Benson proposed, Stephen?”
“There is no use thinking of him, Aunt Virginia, he can do nothing, for I shouldn't let him. And anyway, we have had a row about this very matter.”
“You have quarrelled with Mr. Benson!”
“If you choose to call it that—yes. Only I had rather not talk about it.”
But there was one thing more he wished to tell her; and this was what had passed between Marian and him. He knew it would please her if possible, even less than the news of his enlistment; but he deemed it well to get it all over with at once, then they could adjust themselves the sooner to these new conditions which he had so suddenly created.
“What else is there, Stephen?” Virginia asked.
“How do you know there is anything else?” he inquired.
“I can always tell; what is it?”
“Haven't I told you enough for to-night?” he said.