"Why not?" demanded Mr. Sherman.
"Because, sir," said the Judge, bluntly, "his mother's a widow, and they have no money. He was a lieutenant in one of Blair's companies before the call came."
The Major looked at Stephen, and his expression changed.
"Find it pretty hard?" he asked.
Stephen's expression must have satisfied him, but he nodded again, more vigorously than before.
"Just you WAIT, Mr. Brice," he said. "It won't hurt you any."
Stephen was grateful. But he hoped to fall out of the talk. Much to his discomfiture, the Major gave him another of those queer looks. His whole manner, and even his appearance, reminded Stephen strangely of Captain Elijah Brent.
"Aren't you the young man who made the Union speech in Mercantile Library
Hall?"
"Yes, sir," said the Judge. "He is."
At that the Major put out his hand impulsively, and gripped Stephen's.