CHAPTER17。CHADWICKBUFORD，GENTLEMAN
Andso，returnedtotheBluegrass，themidsummerofthatyear，ChadwickBufordgentleman。Ayouthofeighteen，withtheself-possessionofaman，andapairoflevel，cleareyes，thatlookedtheworldinthefaceasproudlyaseverbutwithnodefianceandnosecretsenseofshameItwasacuriousstorythatChadbroughtbackandtoldtotheMajor，ontheporchunderthehoneysucklevines，butitseemedtosurprisetheMajorverylittle：howoldNathanhadsentforhimtocometohisdeath-bedandhadtoldChadthathewasnofoundling；thatoneofhisfarmsbelongedtotheboy；thathehadliedtotheMajoraboutChad\'smother，whowasalawfulwife，inordertokeepthelandforhimself；
howoldNathanhadofferedtogivebackthefarm，orpayhimthepriceofitinlivestock，andhow，atoldJoel\'sadvicehehadtakenthestockandturnedthestockintomoney。How，afterhehadfoundhismother\'sgrave，hisfirstacthadbeentotakeuptheroughbee-gumcoffinthatheldherremains，andcarryitdowntheriver，andburyherwhereshehadtherighttolie，sidebysidewithhergrandfatherandhis——theoldgentlemanwhosleptinwigandperukeonthehill-side——thathergoodnameandmemoryshouldneveragainsufferinsultfromanylivingtongue。ItwasthenthatMajortookChadbytheshouldersroughly，and，withtearsinhiseyes，sworethathewouldhavenomorenonsensefromtheboy；thatChadwasfleshofhisfleshandboneofhisbone；thathewouldadopthimandmakehimlivewherehebelonged，andbreakhisdamnedpride。AnditwasthenthatChadtoldhimhowgladlyhewouldcome，nowthathecouldbringhimanuntarnishedname。Andthetwowalkedtogetherdowntotheoldfamilygraveyard，wheretheMajorsaidthatthetwointhemountainsshouldbebroughtsomedayandwherethetwobrotherswhohadpartednearlyfourscoreyearsagocould，sidebyside，awaitJudgmentDay。
WhentheywentbackintothehousetheMajorwenttothesideboard。
\"Haveadrink，Chad？\"
Chadlaughed：\"Doyouthinkitwillstuntmygrowth？\"
\"Standuphere，andlet\'ssee，\"saidtheMajor。
Thetwostoodup，backtoback，infrontofalongmirror，andChad\'sshaggyhairroseatleastaninchabovetheMajor\'sthinlocksofgray。TheMajorturnedandlookedathimfromheadtofootwithaffectionatepride。
\"Sixfeetinyoursocks，totheinch，withoutthathair。Ireckonitwon\'tstuntyou——notnow。\"
\"Allright，\"laughedChad，\"thenI\'lltakethatdrink。\"Andtogethertheydrank。
Thus，ChadwickBuford，gentleman，afterthelapseofthree-quartersofacentury，camebacktohisown：andwhatthatown，atthatdayandinthatland，was！
ItwastheroseofVirginia，springing，infullbloom，fromnewandrichersoil——aroseofadeeperscarletandastrongerstem：andthebigvillagewheretheoldUniversityreareditsnoblefrontwastheveryheartofthatrose。Thereweretheproudestfamilies，thestateliesthomes，thebroadestculture，themostgracioushospitality，thegentlestcourtesies，thefinestchivalry，thattheStatehaseverknown。Therelivedthepoliticalidols；
there，underthelowsky，rosethememorialshafttoClay。Therehadlivedbeauxandbelles，memoriesofwhomhangstillaboutthetown，peopleitwithphantomshapes，andgiveanindividualorafamilyhereandthereasubtledistinctionto-day。TherethegraspofCalvinismwasmostlax。Therewerethedance，thereadysideboard，thecardtable，theloveofthehorseandthedog，andbutlittlepassionforthegame-cock。Therewereasmanlyvirtues，asmanlyvices，astheworldhaseverknown。Andthere，lovewasasfarfromlustasheavenfromhell。
ItwasonthethresholdofthislifethatChadstood。KentuckyhadgivenbirthtothemanwhowastoupholdtheUnion——birthtothemanwhowouldseektoshatterit。FatehadgivenChadtheearlylifeofone，andlikebloodwiththeother；and，curiouslyenough，inhisownshortlife，healreadyepitomizedthesocialdevelopmentofthenation，fromitsbirthinalogcabintoitsswiftmaturitybehindthecolumnsofaGreekportico。AgainsttheuncountedgenerationsofgentlepeoplethatranbehindhimtosunnyEngland，howlittlecouldtheshortsleepofthreeinthehillscount！Itmaytakethreegenerationstomakeagentleman，butoneisenough，ifthebloodbethere，theheartberight，andthebrainandhandcomeearlyunderdiscipline。
ItwastoGeneralDeanthattheMajortoldChad\'sstoryfirst。Thetwooldfriendssilentlygraspedhands，andthecloudbetweenthempassedlikemist。
\"BringhimovertodinneronSaturday，Cal——youandMissLucy，won\'tyou？Somepeoplearecomingoutfromtown。\"Inmakingamends，therewasnohalf-waywithGeneralDean。
\"Iwill，\"saidtheMajor，\"gladly。\"
ThecoolofthecomingautumnwasalreadyintheairthatSaturdaywhenMissLucyandtheMajorandChad，intheoldcarriage，witholdTomasdriverandthepickaninnybehind，startedforGeneralDean\'s。TheMajorwasbeautifultobehold，inhisfloweredwaistcoat，hisruffledshirt，whitetrousersstrappedbeneathhishighlypolished，high-heeledboots，highhatandfrockcoat，withonlythelowestbuttonfastened，inordertoriveaglimpseofthatwonderfulwaistcoat，justasthat，too，wasunbuttonedatthetopthattherufflesmightpeepoutupontheworld。Chad\'sraiment，too，wasaSolomon\'s——forhim。Hehadprotested，butinvain；andhe，too，worewhitetrouserswithstraps，high-heeledboots，andawine-coloredwaistcoatandslouchhat，andabrave，thoughveryconscious，figurehemade，withhistallbody，well-poisedhead，strongshouldersandthickhair。ItwasararethingforMissLucytodo，buttheoldgentlewomancouldnotresisttheMajor，andshe，too，rodeinstatewiththem，smilingindulgentlyattheMajor\'squips，andnow，kindly，onChad。
Adrowsypeacelayoverthemagnificentwoodlands，unravagedthenexceptforfirewood；thesearedpastures，justbeginningtoshowgreenagainforthesecondspring；theflashingcreek，theseasofstillhempandyellowcorn。andChadsawawistfulshadowcrossMissLucy\'spaleface，andadarkeroneanxiouslysweepoverheMajor\'sjestinglips。
Guestswerearriving，whentheyenteredtheyardgate，andguestswerecomingbehindthem。GeneralandMrs。Deanwerereceivingthemontheporch，andHarryandDanwerehelpingtheladiesoutoftheircarriages，while，leaningagainstoneofthecolumns，inpurewhite，wasthegracefulfigureofMargaret。Thattherecouldeverhavebeenanyfeelinginanymemberofthefamilyotherthansimple，graciouskindlinesstowardhim，Chadcouldneitherseenorfeel。Atonceeverytraceofembarrassmentinhimwasgone，andhecouldbutwonderattheswiftjusticedonehiminawaythatwassosimpleandeffective。EvenwithMargarettherewasnotraceofconsciousness。Thepastwaswipedcleanofallsavecourtesyandkindness。ThereweretheHunts——Nellie，andtheLieutenantoftheLexingtonRifles，RichardHunt，adauntless-lookingdare-
devil，withthereadytongueofacoffee-housewitandthegraceofacavalier。TherewasElizabethMorgan，towhomHarry\'sgraveeyeswerealwayswandering，andMissJennieOverstreet，whowasromanticandopenlynowwrotepoemsfortheObserver，andwholookedatChadwithnoattempttoconcealheradmirationofhisappearanceandherwonderastowhohewas。Andthereweretheneighborsroundabout——theTalbotts，Quisenberrys，Clays，Prestons，Morgans——surelynolessthanfortystrong，andallfordinner。ItwasnolittletrialforChadinthatcrowdoffineladies，judges，soldiers，lawyers，statesmen——buthestooditwell。Whilehisself-consciousnessmadehimawkward，hehadpronounceddignityofbearing；hisdiffidenceemphasizedhismodesty，andhehadthegoodsensetostandandkeepstill。Soontheywereattable——andwhatatableandwhatadinnerthatwas！Thedining-roomwasthebiggestandsunniestroominthehouse；itswallscoveredwithhuntingprints，picturesofgameandstagheads。Thetableranthelengthofit。Thesnowytableclothhungalmosttothefloor。AttheheadsatMrs。Dean，withagreattureenofcalf\'sheadsoupinfrontofher。BeforetheGeneralwasthesaddleofvenisonthatwastofollow，drenchedinabottleofancientMadeira，andflankedbyflakesofred-currantjelly。BeforetheMajorrestedbroiledwildducks，onwhichhecouldshowhiscarvingskill——ongameaswellasmen。A
greatturkeysupplantedthevenison，andlasttocome，andbeforeRichardHunt，LieutenantoftheRifles，wasaKentuckyham。Thatham！Mellow，aged，boiledinchampagne，bakedbrown，spiceddeeply，rosypinkwithin，andofaflavorandfragrancetoshatterthefastofaPope；andwithout，abrown-edgedwhitelayer，sofirmthatthelieutenant\'sdeftcarvingknife，passingthrough，gavenohinttotheeyethatitwasdeliciousfat。Therehadbeenmerryjestandlaughterandbanterandgallantcomplimentbefore，butitwasRichardHunt\'sturnnow，andstoryafterstoryhetold，astherose-flakesdroppedunderhisknifeinsuchthinslicesthattheiredgescoiled。Itwasfullhalfanhourbeforethecarverandstory-tellerweredone。Afterthathamthetableclothwaslifted，andthedessertspreadonanotherlyingbeneath；
thenthat，too，wasraised，andthenutsandwineswereplacedonathird——reddamaskthistime。
Thencamethetoasts：tothegracioushostessfromMajorBuford；toMissLucyfromGeneralDean；fromvaliantRichardHunttoblushingMargaret，andthentheladiesweregone，andthetalkwaspolitics——theelectionofLincoln，slavery，disunion。
\"IfLincolniselected，nopowerbutGod\'scanavertwar，\"saidRichardHunt，gravely。
Dan\'seyesflashed。\"Willyoutakeme？\"
Thelieutenantliftedhisglass。\"Gladly，myboy。\"
\"Kentucky\'sconvictionsarewiththeUnion；herkinshipandsympathieswiththeSouth，\"saidadeep-voicedlawyer。\"Shemustremainneutral。\"
\"Straddlingthefence，\"saidtheMajor，sarcastically。
\"No；toavertthewar，ifpossible，ortoactthepeacemakerwhenthetragedyisover。\"
\"Well，IcanseeKentuckianskeepingoutofafight，\"laughedtheGeneral，andhelookedaround。ThreeoutoffiveofthemenpresenthadbeenintheMexicanwar。TheGeneralhadbeenwoundedatCerroGordo，andtheMajorhadbroughthisdeadhomeinleadencoffins。
\"ThefanaticsofBoston，thehot-headsofSouthCarolina——theyaremakingthemischief。\"
\"AndNewEnglandbeganwithslavery，\"saidthelawyeragain。
\"Andnaturally，withthatconsciencethatisanationalcalamity，wasthefirsttogiveitup，\"saidRichardHunt，\"whenthemarketpriceofslavesfelltosixpenceapoundintheopenBostonmarkets。\"Therewasanincredulousmurmur。
\"Oh，yes，\"saidHunt，easily，\"IcanshowyouadvertisementsinBostonpapersofslavesforsaleatsixpenceapound。\"
Perhapsitneveroccurredtoasoulpresentthattheword\"slave\"wasneverheardinthatregionexceptinsomesuchway。WithSoutherners，thenegroeswere\"ourservants\"or\"ourpeople\"——neverslaves。Twoladsatthattableweregrowingwhite——ChadandHarry——andChad\'slipsopenedfirst。
\"Idon\'tthinkslaveryhasmuchtodowiththequestion，really，\"hesaid，\"notevenwithMr。Lincoln。\"Thesilentsurprisethatfollowedtheboy\'sembarrassedstatementendedinagaspofastonishmentwhenHarryleanedacrossthetableandsaid，hotly：
\"SlaveryhasEVERYTHINGtodowiththequestion。\"
TheMajorlookedbewildered；theGeneralfrowned，andthekeen-eyedlawyerspokeagain：
\"ThestrugglewaswrittenintheConstitution。Theframersevadedit。Logicleadsonewayaswellasanotherandnomancanlogicallyblameanotherforthewayhegoes。\"
\"Nomorepoliticsnow，gentlemen，\"saidtheGeneralquickly。\"Wewilljointheladies。Harry，\"headded，withsomesternness，\"leadtheway！\"
Asthethreeboysrose，Chadliftedhisglass。Hisfacewaspaleandhislipstrembled。
\"MayIproposeatoast，GeneralDean？\"
\"Why，certainly，\"saidtheGeneral，kindly。
\"IwanttodrinktoonemanbutforwhomImightbeinalogcabinnow，andmighthavediedthereforallIknow——myfriendand，thankGod！mykinsman——MajorBuford。\"
Itwasirregularandhardlyingoodtaste，buttheboyhadwaitedtilltheladiesweregone，andittouchedtheMajorthatheshouldwanttomakesuchapublicacknowledgmentthatthereshouldbenofalsecolorsintheflaghemeanthenceforthtobear。
ThestartledguestsdrankblindlytotheconfusedMajor，thoughtheyknewnotwhy，butastheladsdisappearedthelawyerasked：
\"Whoisthatboy，Major？\"
Outside，thesamequestionhadbeenaskedamongtheladiesandthesamestorytold。Thethreegirlsrememberedhimvaguely，theysaid，andwhenChadreappeared，intheeyesofthepoetessatleast，thehaloofromancefloatedabovehishead。
ShewaswaitingforChadwhenhecameoutontheporch，andsheshookhercurlsandflashedhereyesinawaythatalmostalarmedhim。OldMammydroppedhimacurtsey，forshehadhadherorders，and，behindher，Snowball，nowatall，fine-lookingcoal-blackyouth，grinnedawelcome。Thethreegirlswerewalkingunderthetrees，withtheirarmsmysteriouslytwinedaboutoneanther\'swaists，andthepoetesswalkeddowntowardthemwiththethreelads，RichardHuntfollowing。Chadcouldnotknowhowithappened，but，amomentlater，DanwaswalkingawaywithNellieHuntoneway；HarrywithElizabethMorgantheother；theLieutenanthadMargaretalone，andMissOverstreetwasleadinghimaway，ravingmeanwhileaboutthebeautyoffieldandsky。Astheywenttowardthegatehecouldnothelpflashingonelooktowardthepairunderthefirtree。AnamusedsmilewasplayingundertheLieutenant\'sbeautifulmustache，hiseyesweredancingwithmischief，andMargaretwasblushingwithanythingelsethandispleasure。
\"Oho！\"hesaid，asChadandhiscompanionpassedon。\"Sitsthewindinthatcorner？Blessme，iflookscouldkill，I\'dhaveahappydeathhereatyourfeet，MistressMargaret。SEEtheyoungman！It\'sthesecondtimehehasalmostslainme。\"
ChadcouldscarcelyhearMissJennie\'shappychatter，scarcelysawtheshakingcurls，theeyesallbutinafrenzyofrolling。Hiseyeswereinthebackofhishead，andhisbackward-listeningearsheardonlyMargaret\'slaughbehindhim。
\"Oh，Idolovetheautumn\"——itwasatthefootofthosesteps，thoughtChad，thathefirstsawMargaretspringingtothebackofherponyanddashingoffunderthefirtrees——\"andit\'scoming。There\'sonescarletleafalready\"——Chadcouldseetherockfencewherehehadsatthatspringday——
\"it\'scuriousandmournfulthatyoucanseeinanyseasonasignofthenexttocome。\"AndtherewasthecreekwherehefoundDanfishing，andtheretheroadledtothefordwhereMargarethadspurnedhisofferofaslimyfish——ugh！\"Idolovetheautumn。ItmakesmefeelliketheyoungwomanwhotoldEmersonthatshehadsuchmammoththoughtsshecouldn\'tgivethemutterance——why，wakeup，Mr。Buford，wakeup！\"Chadcametowithastart。
\"Doyouknowyouaren\'tverypolite，Mr。Buford？\"Mr。Buford！Thatdidsoundfunny。
\"ButIknowwhatthematteris，\"shewenton。\"Isawyoulook\"——shenoddedherheadbackward。\"Canyoukeepasecret？\"Chadnodded；hehadnotyetopenedhislips。
\"Thae\'sgoingtobeamatchbackthere。He\'sonlyafewyearsolder。TheFrenchsaythatawomanshouldbehalfaman\'sageplussevenyears。Thatwouldmakeheronlyafewyearstooyoung，andshecanwait。\"Chadwasscarletunderthegirl\'smischievoustorture，butacryfromthehousesavedhim。Danwascallingthemback。
\"Mr。HunthastogobackearlytodrilltheRifles。Canyoukeepanothersecret？\"AgainChadnoddedgravely。\"Well，heisgoingtodrivemeback。I\'lltellhimwhatadangerousrivalhehas。\"Chadwasdumb；therewasmuchyetforhimtolearnbeforehecouldparrywithatonguelikehers。
\"He\'sverygood-looking，\"saidMissJennie，whenshejoinedthegirls，\"butoh，sostupid。\"
Margaretturnedquicklyandunsuspiciously。\"Stupid！Why，he\'sthefirstmaninhisclass。\"
\"Oh，\"saidMissJennie，withademuresmile，\"perhapsIcouldn\'tdrawhimout，\"andMargaretflushedtohavecaughtthedeftlytossedbaitsoreadily。
AmomentlatertheLieutenantwasgatheringupthereins，withMissJenniebyhisside。HegaveabowtoMargaret，andMissJennienoddedtoChad。
\"Comeseemewhenyoucometotown，Mr。Buford，\"shecalled，asthoughtoanoldfriend，andstillChadwasdumb，thoughheliftedhishatgravely。
AtnotimewasChadalonewithMargaret，andhewasnotsorry——hermannersopuzzledhim。ThethreeladsandthreegirlswalkedtogetherthroughMrs。
Dean\'sgardenwithitsgrasswalksandflowerbedsandvegetablepatchessurroundedwithrosebushes。Attheloweredgetheycouldseethebarnwithsheepintheyardaroundit，andthereweretheverystileswhereHarryandMargarethadsatinstatewhenDanandChadwerecharginginthetournament。
ThethingmightneverhavehappenedforanysignfromHarryorDanorMargaret，andChadbegantowonderifhispastorhispresentwereadream。
HowfinethiscourtesywasChadcouldnotrealize。NeithercouldheknowthatthefavorMargarethadshownhimwhenhewaslittlemorethanoutcasthemustnow，asanequal，winforhimself。MissJenniehadcalledhim\"Mr。Buford。\"HewonderedwhatMargaretwouldcallhimwhenhecametosaygood-by。Shecalledhimnothing。Sheonlysmiledathim。
\"Youmustcometoseeussoonagain，\"shesaid，graciously，andsosaidalltheDeans。
TheMajorwasquietgoinghome，andMissLucydrowsed。AlleveningtheMajorwasquiet。
\"Ifafightdoescome，\"hesaid，whentheyweregoingtobed，\"IreckonI\'mnottoooldtotakeahand。\"
\"AndIreckonI\'mnottooyoung，\"saidChad。
CHAPTER18。THESPIRITOF\'76ANDTHESHADOWOF\'61
Onenight，inthefollowingApril，therewasagreatdanceinLexington。NextdaythenewsofSumtercame。Chadpleadedtobeletofffromthedance，buttheMajorwouldnothearofit。Itwasafancy-dressball，andtheMajorhadapetpurposeofhisownthathewantedgratifiedandChadhadpromisedtoaidhim。ThatfancywasthatChadshouldgoinregimentals，asthestern，oldsoldieronthewall，ofwhomtheMajorsworetheboywasthe\"spitandimage。\"
TheMajorhimselfhelpedChaddressinwig，peruke，stock，breeches，boots，spurs，cockedhat，swordandall。Andthenheledtheboydownintotheparlor，whereMissLucywaswaitingforthem，andstoodhimupononesideoftheportrait。Topleasetheoldfellow，Chadlaughinglystrucktheattitudeofthepicturedsoldier，andtheMajorcried：
\"What\'dItellyou，Lucy！\"Thenheadvancedandmadealowbow。
\"GeneralBuford，\"hesaid，\"GeneralWashington\'scompliments，andwillGeneralBufordplanttheflagonthathillwheretheleftwingoftheBritishisentrenched？\"
\"Hush，Cal，\"saidMissLucy，laughing。
\"GeneralBuford\'scomplimentstoGeneralWashington。GeneralBufordwillplantthatflagonANYhillthatANYenemyholdsagainstit。\"
Thelad\'sfacepaledasthewords，bysomecuriousimpulse，sprangtohislips，buttheunsuspectingMajorsawnolurkingsignificanceinhismanner，norinwhathesaid，andthentherewasarumbleofcarriagewheelsatthedoor。
Thewinterhadspedswiftly。Chadhaddonehisworkincollegeonlyfairlywell，forMargarethadbeenadisturbingfactor。Thegirlwasanimpenetrablemysterytohim，forthepastbetweenthemwasnotonlywipedclean——itseemedquitegone。Onceonlyhadhedaredtoopenhislipsabouttheolddays，andthegirl\'sflushedsilencemadealikemistakeforeverimpossible。HecameandwentattheDeans\'ashepleased。Alwaystheywerekind，courteous，hospitable——nomore，noless，unvaryingly。DuringtheChristmasholidaysheandMargarethadhadafoolishquarrel，anditwasthenthatChadtookhislittleflingathislittleworld——aflingthatwasfoolish，butharmful，chieflyinthatittookhistimeandhismindandhisenergyfromhiswork。Henotonlyneglectedhisstudies，buthefellinwiththewildyoungbucksofthetown，learnedtoplaycards，tookmorewinethanwasgoodforhimsometimes，wasonthevergeofseveralduels，andnightafternightracedhomeinhisbuggyagainstthecomingdawn。ThoughMissLucylookedworried，theindulgentoldMajormadenoprotest。Indeedhewasratherpleased。Chadwassowinghiswildoats——itwasintheblood，andthemoodwouldpass。Itdidpass，naturallyenough，ontheverydaythatthebreachbetweenhimandMargaretwaspartlyhealed；andtheheartofCalebHazel，whomChad，formonths，hadnotdaredtoface，wasmadegladwhentheboycamebacktohimremorsefulandrepentant——theoldChadoncemore。
Theywerelateingettingtothedance。EverywindowintheoldHunthomewasbrilliantwithlight。Chineselanternsswunginthebigyard。Thescentofearlyspringflowerssmotethefreshnightair。Musicandthemurmurofnimblefeetandhappylaughtersweptoutthewide-opendoorspastwhichwhitefiguresflittedswiftly。ScarcelyanybodyknewChadinhisregimentals，andtheMajor，withthedelightofaboy，ledhimaround，gravelypresentinghimasGeneralBufordhereandthere。Indeed，theladmadeanoblefigurewithhissuperbheightandbearing，andheworeswordandspursasthoughborntothem。
MargaretwasdancingwithRichardHuntwhenshesawhiseyessearchingforherthroughtheroom，andshegavehimaradiantsmilethatalmoststunnedhim。
Shehadbeenhaughtyanddistantwhenhewenttohertopleadforgiveness：shehadbeentoohard。andMargaret，too，wasrepentant。
\"Why，who\'sthat？\"askedRichardHunt。\"Oh，yes，\"headded，gettinghisanswerfromMargaret\'sface。\"Blessme，buthe\'sfine——theveryspiritof\'76。ImusthavehimintheRifles。\"
\"Willyoumakehimalieutenant？\"askedMargaret。
\"Why，yes，Iwill，\"saidMr。Hunt，decisively。\"I\'llresignmyselfinhisfavor，ifitpleasesyou。\"
\"Oh，no，no——noonecouldfillyourplace。\"
\"Well，hecan，Ifear——andherehecomestodoit。I\'llhavetoretreatsometime，andIsupposeI\'daswellbeginnow。\"AndthegallantgentlemanbowedtoChad。
\"Willyoupardonme，MissMargaret？Mymotheriscallingme。\"
\"Youmusthavekeenears，\"saidMargaret；\"yourmotherisupstairs。\"
\"Yes；butshewantsme。Everybodywantsme，but——\"hebowedagainwithanimperturbablesmileandwenthisway。
MargaretlookeddemurelyintoChad\'seagereyes。
\"Andhowisthespiritof\'76？\"
\"Thespiritof\'76isunchanged。\"
\"Oh，yes，heis；Iscarcelyknewhim。\"
\"Buthe\'sunchanged；heneverwillchange。\"
MargaretdroppedhereyesandChadlookedaround。
\"Iwishwecouldgetoutofhere。\"
\"Wecan，\"saidMargaret，demurely。
\"Wewill！\"saidChad，andhemadeforadoor，outsidewhichlanternswereswinginginthewind。Margaretcaughtupsomeflimsygarmentandwounditaboutherprettyroundthroat——theycallita\"fascinator\"intheSouth。
Chadlookeddownather。
\"Iwishyoucouldseeyourself；IwishIcouldtellyouhowyoulook。\"
\"Ihave，\"saidMargaret，\"everytimeIpassedamirror。Andotherpeoplehavetoldme。Mr。Huntdid。Hedidn\'tseemtohavemuchtrouble。\"
\"IwishIhadhistongue。\"
\"Ifyouhad，andnothingelse，youwouldn\'thaveme\"——Chadstartedasthelittlewitchpausedasecond，drawling——\"leavingmyfriendsandthisjollydancetogooutintoafreezingyardandtalktoanagedColonialwhodoesn\'tappreciatehismodernblessings。Thenextthingyou\'llbewanting，I
suppose——willbe——\"
\"You，Margaret；you——YOU！\"
IthadcomeatlastandMargarethardlyknewthechokedvoicethatinterruptedher。Shehadturnedherbacktohimtositdown。Shepausedamoment，standing。Hereyesclosed；aslighttremorranthroughher，andshesankwithherfaceinherhands。Chadstoodsilent，trembling。Voicesmurmuredaboutthem，butlikethemusicinthehouse，theyseemedstrangelyfaraway。Thestirringofthewindmadethesuddendamponhisforeheadicy-cold。Margaret\'shandsslowlyleftherface，whichhadchangedasbyamiracle。Everytraceofcoquetrywasgone。Itwasthefaceofawomanwhoknewherownheart，andhadthesweetfranknesstospeakit，thatwasliftednowtoChad。
\"I\'msogladyouarewhatyouare，Chad；buthadyoubeenotherwise——thatwouldhavemadenodifferencetome。Youbelievethat，don\'tyou，Chad？Theymightnothaveletmemarryyou，butIshouldhavecared，justthesame。Theymaynotnow，butthat，too，willmakenodifference。\"Sheturnedhereyesfromhisforaninstant，asthoughshewerelookingfarbackward。\"Eversincethatday，\"shesaid，slowly，\"whenIheardyousay，\'TellthelittlegurlIdidn\'tmeannothin\'callin\'heralittlegal\'\"——therewasalow，deliciousgurgleinthethroatasshetriedtoimitatehisoddspeech，andthenhereyessuddenlyfilledwithtears，butshebrushedthemaway，smilingbrightly。\"Eversincethen，Chad——\"shestopped——ashadowfellacrossthedoorofthelittlesummerhouse。
\"HereIam，Mr。Hunt，\"shesaid，lightly；\"isthisyourdance？\"Sheroseandwasgone。\"Thankyou，Mr。Buford，\"shecalledback，sweetly。
ForamomentChadstoodwherehewas，quitedazed——soquickly，sounexpectedlyhadthecrisiscome。Thebloodhadrushedtohisfaceandfloodedhimwithtriumphanthappiness。Aterribledoubtchilledhimasquickly。Hadheheardaright？——couldhehavemisunderstoodher？Hadthedreamofyearsreallycometrue？Whatwasitshehadsaid？Hestumbledaroundinthehalfdarkness，wondering。Wasthisanotherphaseofherunceasingcoquetry？HowquicklyhertonehadchangedwhenRichardHunt\'sshadowcame。Atthatmoment，heneithercouldnorwouldhavechangedahairhadsomegeniedroppedthembothinthemidstofthecrowdedball-room。Heturnedswiftlytowardthedancers。Hemustsee，know——now！
Thedancewasaquadrilleandthefigurewas\"Grandrightandleft。\"MargarethadmetRichardHuntopposite，half-way，whenChadreachedthedoorandwascurtseyingtohimwitharadiantsmile。Againtheboy\'sdoubtsbeathimfiercely；andthenMargaretturnedherhead，asthoughsheknewhemustbestandingthere。Herfacegrewsosuddenlyseriousandhereyessoftenedwithsuchswifttendernesswhentheymethis，thatawaveofguiltyshamesweptthroughhim。Andwhenshecamearoundtohimandpassed，sheleanedfromthecircletowardhim，merryandmock-reproachful：
\"Youmustn\'tlookatmelikethat，\"shewhispered，andHunt，closeathand，saw，guessedandsmiled。Chadturnedquicklyawayagain。
Thathappydawn——goinghome！TheMajordrowsedandfellasleep。Thefirstcominglight，thefirstcoolbreaththatwasstealingovertheawakeningfields，thefirstspringleaveswiththeirweightofdew，werenotmorefreshandpurethanthelovethatwasintheboy\'sheart。Heheldhisrighthandinhisleft，asthoughhewereimprisoningtherethememoryofthelastlittleclaspthatshehadgivenit。HelookedattheMajor，andhewonderedhowanybodyonearth，atthathour，couldbeasleep。Hethoughtofthewasteddaysofthepastfewmonths；thesilly，foolishlifehehadled，andthankedGodthat，inthememoryofthem，therewasnotonestingofshame。Howhewouldworkforhernow！Littleguessinghowproudshealreadywas，hesworetohimselfhowproudsheshouldbeofhimsomeday。Hewonderedwhereshewas，andwhatshewasdoing。Shecouldnotbeasleep，andhemusthavecriedaloudcouldhehaveknown——couldhehaveheardheronherkneesatherbedside，whisperinghisnameforthefirsttimeinherprayers；couldhehaveseenher，alittlelater，atheropenwindow，lookingacrossthefields，asthoughhereyesmustreachhimthroughthemorningdusk。
Thathappydawn——forboth，thathappydawn！
Itwaswellthatneither，atthathour，couldseebeyondtherimofhisownlittleworld。InafarSoutherncityanotherball，thatnight，hadbeengoingon。Downtheretheairwaschargedwiththeprescienceofdarktrouble，but，whilethemusicmoanedtomanyaheartlikeagodinpain，therewasnobrooding——onlyadeeperflushtothecheek，abrightersparkletotheeye，akeenerwittothetongue；tothedance，amerrierswing。Andatthatveryhourofdawn，ladies，slippered，bareofhead，andineveninggowns，wereflutteringlikewhitemothsalongthestreetsofoldCharleston，anddowntotheBattery，whereFortSumterlay，grayandquietinthemorningmist——toawaitwithjestandlaughterthehissingshriekofoneshellthatlightedthefiresofafouryears\'hellinahappylandofGod-fearingpeaceandGod-givenplenty，andthehissingshriekofanotherthatAnderson，Kentuckian，hurledback，inheroicdefenceoftheflagstruckforthefirsttimebyotherthananalienhand。
CHAPTER19。THEBLUEORTHEGRAY
InthefarNorth，asinthefarSouth，menhadbuttodriftwiththetide。
AmongtheKentuckians，theforcesthatmouldedhersons——DavisandLincoln——wereatwarintheState，astheywereatwarinthenation。Bytiesofblood，sympathies，institutions，KentuckywasboundfasttotheSouth。Yet，tenyearsbefore，Kentuckianshaddemandedthegradualemancipationoftheslave。Thatfarback，theyhadcarvedapledgeonablockofKentuckymarble，whichshouldbeplacedintheWashingtonmonument，thatKentuckywouldbethelasttogiveuptheUnion。Fortenyears，theyhadfelttheshadowofthewarcreepingtowardthem。Inthedarkhoursofthatdismalyear，beforethedawnoffinaldecision，themen，women，andchildrenofKentuckytalkedoflittleelsesavewar，andtheskeletonofwartookitsplaceintheclosetofeveryhomefromtheOhiotothecrestoftheCumberland。Whenthedawnofthatdecisioncame，Kentuckyspreadbeforetheworldarecordofindependent-mindedness，patriotism，aseachsidesavetheword，andsacrificethathasnoparallelinhistory。Shesenttheflowerofheryouth——fortythousandstrong——intotheConfederacy；sheliftedthelidofhertreasurytoLincoln，andinanswertohiseverycall，senthimasoldier，practicallywithoutabountyandwithoutadraft。Andwhenthecurtainfellonthelastactofthegreattragedy，halfofhermanhoodwasbehindit——helplessfromdisease，wounded，ordeadonthebattle-field。
So，onagentleAprilday，whenthegreatnewscame，itcamelikeaswordthat，withonestroke，slashedtheStateintwain，shearingthroughthestrongestbondsthatlinkonemantoanother，whetherofblood，business，politicsorreligion，asthoughtheywerenomorethanthreadsofwool。
NowhereintheUnionwastheNationaldramasoplayedtothebitterendintheconfinesofasingleState。Asthenationwasrentapart，sowasthecommonwealth；astheState，sowasthecounty；asthecounty，theneighborhood；astheneighborhood，thefamily；andasthefamily，sobrotherandbrother，fatherandson。Inthenationthekinshipwasracialonly。
Brotherknewnotthefaceofbrother。Therewasdistancebetweenthem，antagonism，prejudice，asmoulderingdislikeeasilyfannedtoflaminghatred。
InKentuckythebrothershadbeenborninthesamebed，sleptinthesamecradle，playedunderthesameroof，satsidebysideinthesameschoolroom，andstoodnowonthethresholdofmanhoodarminarm，withmutualinterests，mutuallove，mutualprideinfamilythatmadeclanfeelingpeculiarlyintense。
Forantislaveryfanaticism，orhonestunionism，oneneedednottogotothefarNorth；as，forimperious，hotheaded，non-interferenceorpureStatesovereignty，oneneedednottogotothefarSouth。TheywereallthereintheState，thecounty，thefamily——underthesameroof。Alongtheborderalonedidfeelingapproachuniformity——theborderofKentuckyhills。ThereunionismwasfreefromprejudiceasnowhereelseonthecontinentsaveelsewherethroughouttheSouthernmountains。ThoseSouthernYankeesknewnothingaboutthevalleyaristocrat，nothingabouthisslaves，andcaredaslittleforoneasfortheother。Since\'76theyhadknownbutoneflag，andoneflagonly，andtothatflaginstinctivelytheyrallied。ButthattheStateshouldbesweptfrombordertoborderwithhorror，therewasdivisionevenhere：for，intheKentuckymountains，therewas，hereandthere，apatriarchlikeJoelTurnerwhoownedslaves，andheandhissonsfoughtforthemasheandhissonswouldhavefoughtfortheirhorses，ortheircattle，ortheirsheep。
ItwastheprescienthorrorofsuchaconditionthathadnolittlepartintheneutralstandthatKentuckystrovetomaintain。Sheknewwhatwarwas——foreveryfiresidewasrichinmemoriesthatmenandwomenhadofkindredwhohadfallenonnumberlessbattle-fields——backeventoSt。Clair\'sdefeatandtheRaisinmassacre；andthoughshedidnotfearwarforitsharvestofdangersanddeath，shedidlookwithterroronaconflictbetweenneighbors，friends，andbrothers。SosherefusedtroopstoLincoln；sherefusedthemtoDavis。
Bothpledgedherimmunityfrominvasion，and，toenforcethatpledge，sheraisedHomeGuardsasshehadalreadyraisedStateGuardsforinternalprotectionandpeace。Andthere——asaState——shestood：butthetragedywentonintheKentuckyhome——atragedyofpeculiarintensityandpathosinoneKentuckyhome——theDeans\'。
Harryhadgrownuptall，pale，studious，brooding。HehadalwaysbeenthepetofhisUncleBrutus——theoldLionofWhiteHall。VisitingtheHall，hehaddrunkinthepoison，orconsecration，aswasthepointofview，ofabolitionism。Atthefirstsignhewasneverallowedtogoagain。Butthepoisonhadgonedeep。WheneverhecouldhewenttohearoldBrutusspeak。
Eagerlyheheardstoriesofthefearlessabolitionist\'shand-to-handfightswithmenwhosoughttoskewerhisfierytongue。Deeplyhebroodedoneverywordthathisretentiveearhadcaughtfromtheoldman\'slips，andonthewrongsheenduredinbehalfofhiscauseandforfreedomofspeech。
Oneotherherodidheplaceabovehim——thegreatcommonerafterwhomhehadbeenchristened，HenryClayDean。HeknewhowClay\'slifehadbeendevotedtoavertingthecomingwar，andhowhislastdayshadbeendarklyshadowedbythebeliefthat，whenhewasgone，thewarmustcome。AttimeshecouldhearthatclarionvoiceasitrangthroughtheSenatewiththeboldchallengetohisownpeoplethatparamountwashisdutytothenation——subordinatehisdutytohisState。Whocantellwhatthenationowed，inKentucky，atleast，tothepassionateallegiancethatwasbroadcastthroughtheStatetoHenryClay？Itwasnotintheboy\'sbloodtobedrivenaninch，andnoonetriedtodrivehim。InhisownhomehewasaspectreofgnawinganguishtohismotherandMargaret，ofunspeakablebitternessanddisappointmenttohisfather，andanimpenetrablesphinxtoDan。ForinDantherewasnoshakingdoubt。Hewasthespirit，incarnate，oftheyoung，unquestioning，unthinking，generous，reckless，hotheaded，passionateSouth。
AndChad？ThenewsreachedMajorBuford\'sfarmatnoon，andChadwenttothewoodsandcameinatdusk，haggardandspent。Miserablynowheheldhistongueandtorturedhisbrain。Purposely，heneveropenedhislipstoHarryDean。HetriedtomakeknowntotheMajorthestrugglegoingonwithinhim，buttheiron-willedoldmanbrushedawayallargumentwithanimpatientwaveofhishand。WithMargarethetalkedonce，andstraightwaythequestionwasdroppedlikealivingcoal。So，Chadwithdrewfromhisfellows。Thesociallifeofthetown，gayerthanevernow，knewhimnomore。Hekeptuphiscollegework，butwhenhewasnotathisbooks，hewalkedthefields，andmanyamoonlitmidnightfoundhimstridingalongawhiteturnpike，orsittingmotionlessontopofafencealongtheborderofsomewoodland，hischininbothhands，fightinghisfightoutinthecoolstillnessalone。HehimselflittleknewtheunmeantsignificancetherewasintheoldContinentaluniformhehadworntothedance。Evenhisoldrifle，hadhebutknownit，hadbeencarriedwithDanielMorganfromVirginiatoWashington\'saidinCambridge。HisearliestmemoriesofwarwererootedinthrillingstoriesofKing\'sMountain。Hehadheardoldmentellofpointingdeadlyriflesatred-coatsatNewOrleans，andhadabsorbedtheirownloveofOldHickory。Theschool-masterhimself，whenamerelad，hadbeenwithScottinMexico。Thespiritoftheback-woodsmanhadbeencaughtinthehills，andwasaliveandunchangedatthatveryhour。TheboywaspracticallyborninRevolutionarydays，andthatwaswhy，likeallmountaineers，ChadhadlittleloveofStateandonlyloveofcountry——wasfirst，lastandallthetime，simplyAmerican。Itwasnotreason——itwasinstinct。Theheroestheschool-masterhadtaughthimtoloveandsomedaytoemulate，hadfoughtunderoneflag，and，likethem，themountaineersneverdreamedtherecouldbeanother。Andsotheboywasanunconsciousreincarnationofthatoldspirit，uninfluencedbytemporaryapostasiesintheoutsideworld，untouchedabsolutelybysectionalprejudiceortheappealoftheslave。Themountaineerhadnohatredofthevalleyaristocrat，becauseheknewnothingofhim，andenviednomanwhathewas，whathehad，orthelifeheled。So，asforslavery，thatquestion，singularlyenough，nevertroubledhissoul。Tohimslaveswerehewersofwoodanddrawersofwater。TheLordhadmadethemsoandtheBiblesaidthatitwasright。Thattheschool-masterhadtaughtChad。Hehadread\"UncleTom\'sCabin，\"andthestorymadehimsmile。
Thetragediesofithehadneverknownandhedidnotbelieve。Slavesweresleek，well-fed，well-housed，lovedandtrusted，rightlyinferiorandhappy；
andnoaristocratevermovedamongthemwithamorelordly，righteousairofauthoritythandidthismountainladwhohadknownthemlittlemorethanhalfadozenyears。UnliketheNorth，theboyhadnoprejudice，noantagonism，nojealousy，nogrievancetohelphiminhisstruggle。UnlikeHarry，hehadnoslavesympathytostirhimtothedepths，nostubborn，rebelliouspridetoprodhimon。Inthedayswhentheschool-masterthunderedathimsomespeechofthePrinceofKentuckians，itwasalwaysthenationalthrillinthefieryutterancethathadshakenhimeventhen。SothatunconsciouslytheboywastheembodimentofpureAmericanism，andforthatreasonheandthepeopleamongwhomhewasbornstoodamongthemillionsoneitherside，quitealone。
Whatwashefightingthen——ah，what？Ifthebed-rockofhischaracterwasnotloyalty，itwasnothing。InthemountainstheTurnershadtakenhimfromtheWilderness。IntheBluegrasstheoldMajorhadtakenhimfromthehills。Hisverylifeheowedtothesimple，kindlymountaineers，andwhathevaluedmorethanhislifeheowedtothesimplegentlemanwhohadpickedhimupfromtheroadsideand，almostwithoutquestion，hadtakenhimtohisheartandtohishome。TheTurners，heknew，wouldfightfortheirslavesastheywouldhavefoughtDillonorDevilhadeitherproposedtotakefromthemacow，ahog，orasheep。ForthatChadcouldnotblamethem。AndtheMajorwasgoingtofight，ashebelieved，forhisliberty，hisState，hiscountry，hisproperty，hisfireside。Sointheeyesofboth，Chadmustbethesnakewhohadwarmedhisfrozenbodyontheirhearthstonesandbittenthekindlyhandsthathadwarmedhimbacktolife。WhatwouldMelissasay？Mentallyheshrankfromthefireofhereyesandthescornofhertonguewhensheshouldknow。AndMargaret——thethoughtofherbroughtalwaysavoicelessgroan。Toher，hehadlethisdoubtsbeknown，andherwhitesilenceclosedhisownlipsthenandthere。ThesimplefactthathehaddoubtswasanenteringwedgeofcoldnessbetweenthemthatChadsawmustforcethemapartforheknewthatthetruthmustcomesoon，andwhatwouldbethebittercostofthattruth。ShecouldneverseehimasshesawHarry。Harrywasabelovedanderringbrother。Hatredofslaveryhadbeencunninglyplantedinhisheartbyherfather\'sownbrother，uponwhoseheadtheblameforHarry\'ssinwasset。Theboyhadbeentaunteduntilhisownfather\'sscornhadstirredhisproudindependenceintostubbornresistanceandintensifiedhisresolutiontodowhathepleasedandwhathethoughtwasright。ButChad——shewouldneverunderstandhim。ShewouldneverunderstandhislovefortheGovernmentthathadonceabandonedherpeopletosavagesandforcedherStateandhistoseekaidfromaforeignland。Inhereyes，too，hewouldberendingtheheartsthathadbeentenderesttohiminalltheworld：
andthatwasall。Ofwhatfateshewoulddealouttohimhedarednotthink。
IfheliftedhishandagainsttheSouth，hemuststrikeattheheartofallhelovedbest，towhichheowedmost。IfagainsttheUnion，attheheartofallthatwasbestinhimself。Inhimthepurespiritthatgavebirthtothenationwasfightingforlife。Ah，God！whatshouldhedo——whatshouldhedo？
CHAPTER20。OFFTOTHEWAR
ThroughoutthatsummerChadfoughthisfight，dailyswayingthiswayandthat——foughtitinsecretuntilthephantomofneutralityfadedandgaveplacetothegrimspectreofwar——untilwitheachhandKentuckydrewaswordandmadereadytoplungebothintoherownstoutheart。WhenSumterfell，sheshookherheadresolutelytobothNorthandSouth。Crittenden，inthenameofUnionloversandthedeadClay，pleadedwiththeStatetotakenopartinthefratricidalcrime。Fromthemothers，wives，sistersanddaughtersofthirty-onecountiescamepiteouslythesameappeal。Neutrality，tobeheldinviolate，wastheanswertothecryfromboththeNorthandtheSouth；butarmedneutrality，saidKentucky。TheStatehadnotthemoralrighttosecede；
theNation，noconstitutionalrighttocoerce：ifboththeNorthandtheSouthlefttheirpathsofdutyandfought——letbothkeeptheirbattlesfromhersoil。StraightwayStateGuardswentintocampandHomeGuardswereheldinreserve，buttherewasnotafoolintheCommonwealthwhodidnotknowthat，insympathy，theStateGuardswerealreadyfortheConfederacyandtheHomeGuardsfortheUnioncause。ThiswasinMay。
InJune，FederalswereenlistingacrosstheOhio；Confederates，justovertheborderofDixiewhichbeginsinTennessee。WithinamonthStonewallJacksonsatonhishorse，afterBullRun，watchingtheroutedYankees，prayingforfreshmenthathemightgoonandtaketheCapitol，and，fromtheFederaldreamofasixty-days\'riot，theNorthwokewithagasp。Aweekortwolater，CampDickRobinsonsquatteddownontheedgeoftheBluegrass，thefirstviolationoftheState\'sneutrality，andbeckonedwithbothhandsforYankeerecruits。SoonanorderwentroundtodisarmtheStateGuards，andonthatverydaytheStateGuardsmadereadyforDixie。OnthatdaythecrisiscameattheDeans\'，andonthatdayChadBufordmadeuphismind。WhentheMajorandMissLucywenttobedthatnight，heslippedoutofthehouseandwalkedthroughtheyardandacrossthepike，followingthelittlecreekhalfunconsciouslytowardtheDeans\'，untilhecouldseethelightinMargaret\'swindow，andthereheclimbedthewormfenceandsatleaninghisheadagainstoneoftheforkedstakeswithhishatinhislap。Hewouldprobablynotseeheragain。Hewouldsendherwordnextmorningtoaskthathemight，andhefearedwhattheresultofthatwordwouldbe。Severaltimeshislongingeyessawhershadowpassthecurtain，andwhenherlightwasout，heclosedhiseyesandsatmotionless——howlonghehardlyknew；but，whenhesprangdown，hewasstiffenedfromthemidnightchillandhisunchangedposture。Hewentbacktohisroomthen，andwroteMargaretaletterandtoreitupandwenttobed。
Therewaslittlesleepforhimthatnight，andwhentheglimmerofmorningbrightenedathiswindow，heroselistlessly，dippedhishotheadinabowlofwaterandstoleouttothebarn。Hislittlemarewhinniedawelcomeasheopenedthebarndoor。Hepattedherontheneck。
\"Good-by，littlegirl，\"hesaid。Hestartedtocallherbynameandstopped。
Margarethadnamedthebeautifulcreature\"Dixie。\"Theservantswerestirring。
\"Good-mawnin\'，MarsChad，\"saideach，andwitheachheshookhands，sayingsimplythathewasgoingawaythatmorning。OnlyoldTomaskedhimaquestion。
\"FohGawd，MarsChad，\"saidtheoldfellow，\"oldMarsBufordcan\'tgitalongwidoutyou。Yougwinetocomebacksoon？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，UncleTom，\"saidChad，sadly。
\"Wharyougwine，MarsChad？\"
\"Intothearmy。\"
\"Deahmy？\"Theoldmansmiled。\"YougwinetofightdeYankees？\"
\"I\'mgoingtofightWITHtheYankees。\"
Theolddriverlookedasthoughhecouldnothaveheardaright。
\"Youfoolin\'thisolenigger，MarsChad，ain\'tyou？\"
Chadshookhishead，andtheoldmanstraightenedhimselfabit。
\"I\'sesorrytoheahit，suh，\"hesaid，withdignity，andheturnedtohiswork。
MissLucywasnotfeelingwellthatmorninganddidnotcomedowntobreakfast。TheboywassopaleandhaggardthattheMajorlookedathimanxiously。
\"What\'sthematterwithyou，Chad？Areyou——？\"
\"Ididn\'tsleepverywelllastnight，Major。\"
TheMajorchuckled。\"Ireckonyouain\'tgettin\'enoughsleepthesedays。I
reckonIwouldn\'t，either，ifIwereinyourplace。\"
Chaddidnotanswer。AfterbreakfasthesatwiththeMajorontheporchinthefresh，sunnyair。TheMajorsmokedhispipe，takingthestemoutofhismouthnowandthentoshoutsomeorderasaservantpassedunderhiseye。
\"What\'sthenews，Chad？\"
\"Mr。Crittendenisback。\"
\"WhatdidoldLincolnsay？\"
\"ThatCampDickRobinsonwasformedforKentuckiansbyKentuckians，andhedidnotbelievethatitwasthewishoftheStatethatitshouldberemoved。\"
\"Well，by——！afterhispromise。WhatdidDavissay？\"
\"ThatifKentuckyopenedtheNortherndoorforinvasion，shemustnotclosetheSoutherndoortoentrancefordefence。\"
\"Anddeadrightheis，\"growledtheMajorwithsatisfaction。
\"GovernorMagoffinaskedOhioandIndianatojoininaneffortforapeaceCongress，\"Chadadded。
\"Well？\"
\"Bothgovernorsrefused。\"
\"Itellyou，boy，thehourhascome。\"
Thehourhadcome。
\"I\'mgoingawaythismorning，Major。\"
TheMajordidnoteventurnhishead。
\"Ithoughtthiswascoming，\"hesaidquietly。Chad\'sfacegrewevenpaler，andhesteeledhisheartfortherevelation。
\"I\'vealreadyspokentoLieutenantHunt，\"theMajorwenton。\"Heexpectstobeacaptain，andhesaysthat，maybe，hecanmakeyoualieutenant。YoucantakethatboyBrutusasabodyservant。\"Hebroughthisfistdownontherailingoftheporch。\"God，butI\'dgivetherestofmylifetobetenyearsyoungerthanIamnow。\"
\"Major，I\'mGOINGINTOTHEUNIONARMY。\"
TheMajor\'spipealmostdroppedfrombetweenhislips。Catchingthearmsofhischairwithbothhands，heturnedheavilyandwithdazedwonder，asthoughtheboyhadstruckhimwithhisfistfrombehind，and，withoutaword，staredhardintoChad\'storturedface。Thekeenoldeyehadnotlongtolookbeforeitsawthetruth，andthen，silently，theoldmanturnedback。Hishandstrembledonthechair，andheslowlythrustthemintohispockets，breathinghardthroughhisnose。Theboyexpectedanoutbreak，butnonecame。Abeebuzzedabovethem。Ayellowbutterflyzigzaggedby。Blackbirdschatteredinthefirs。Thescreechofapeacockshrilledacrosstheyard，andaploughman\'ssingingwailedacrossthefields：
Trouble，OLawd！
Nothin\'buttroubleindelan\'ofCanaan。
Theboyknewhehadgivenhisoldfriendamortalhurt。
\"Don\'t，Major，\"hepleaded。\"Youdon\'tknowhowIhavefoughtagainstthis。I
triedtobeonyourside。IthoughtIwas。IjoinedtheRifles。IfoundfirstthatIcouldn\'tfightWITHtheSouth，and——then——I——foundthatIhadtofightFORtheNorth。ItalmostkillsmewhenIthinkofallyouhavedone\"
TheMajorwavedhishandimperiously。Hewasnotthemantohearhisfavorsrecounted，muchlessrefertothemhimself。Hestraightenedandgotupfromhischair。Hismannerhadgrownformal，stately，coldlycourteous。
\"Icannotunderstand，butyouareoldenough，sir，toknowyourownmind。Youshouldhavepreparedmeforthis。Youwillexcusemeamoment。\"ChadroseandtheMajorwalkedtowardthedoor，hisstepnotverysteady，andhisshouldersabitshrunken——hisback，somehow，lookedsuddenlyold。
\"Brutus！\"hecalledsharplytoablackboywhowastrainingrosebushesintheyard。\"SaddleMr。Chad\'shorse。\"Then，withoutlookingagainatChad，heturnedintohisoffice，andChad，standingwherehewas，withabreakingheart，couldhear，throughtheopenwindow，therustlingofpapersandthescratchingofapen。
InafewminutesheheardtheMajorriseandheturnedtomeethim。Theoldmanheldarollofbillsinonehandandapaperintheother。
\"Hereisthebalancedueyouonourlasttrade，\"hesaid，quietly。\"Themareisyours——Dixie，\"headded，grimly。\"Theoldmareisinfoal。Iwillkeepherandsendyouyourduewhenthetimecomes。Wearequiteeven，\"hewentoninaleveltoneofbusiness。\"Indeed，whatyouhavedoneabouttheplacemorethanexceedsanyexpensethatyouhaveevercausedme。Ifanything，Iamstillinyourdebt。\"
\"Ican\'ttakeit！\"saidChad，chokingbackasob。
\"Youwillhavetotakeit，\"theMajorbrokein，curtly，unless——\"theMajorheldbackthebitterspeechthatwasonhislipsandChadunderstood。Theoldmandidnotwanttofeelunderanyobligationstohim。
\"IwouldofferyouBrutus，aswasmyintention，exceptthatIknowyouwouldnottakehim，\"againheadded，grimly，\"andBrutuswouldrunawayfromyou。\"
\"No，Major，\"saidChad，sadly，\"IwouldnottakeBrutus，\"andhesteppeddownonestepoftheporchbackward。
\"Itriedtotellyou，Major，butyouwouldn\'tlisten。Idon\'twonder，forI
couldn\'texplaintoyouwhatIcouldn\'tunderstandmyself。I——\"theboychokedandtearsfilledhiseyes。Hewasafraidtoholdouthishand。
\"Good-by，Major，\"hesaid，brokenly。
\"Good-by，sir，\"answeredtheMajor，withastiffbow，buttheoldman\'slipshookandheturnedabruptlywithin。
Chaddidnottrusthimselftolookback，but，asherodethroughthepasturetothepikegate，hisearsheard，nevertoforget，thechatteroftheblackbirds，thenoisesaroundthebarn，thecryofthepeacock，andthewailingoftheploughman：
Trouble，OLawd！
Nothin\'buttrouble——
Atthegatethelittlemareturnedherheadtowardtownandstartedawayintheeasyswinginglopeforwhichshewasfamous。FromacornfieldJeromeConners，theoverseer，watchedhorseandriderforawhile，andthenhislipswereliftedoverhisprotrudingteethinoneofhisghastly，infrequentsmiles。ChadBufordwasoutofhiswayatlast。AttheDeans\'gate，SnowballwasjustgoinginonMargaret\'sponyandChadpulledup。
\"Where\'sMr。Dan，Snowball？——andMr。Harry？\"
\"MarsDanhegwinetodewah——an\'I\'segwinewidhim。\"
\"IsMr。Harrygoing，too？\"Snowballhesitated。Hedidnotliketogossipaboutfamilymatters，butitwasafriendofthefamilywhowasquestioninghim。
\"Yessuh！ButMammysayMarsHarry\'stechedindehaid。Hegwinetofightwiddepo\'whitetrash。\"
\"IsMissMargaretathome？\"
\"Yessuh。\"
ChadhadhisnotetoMargaret，unsealed。Helittlefeltlikeseeinghernow，buthehadjustaswellhaveitalloveratonce。Hetookitoutandlookeditoveroncemore——irresolute。
\"I\'mgoingawaytojointheUnionarmy，Margaret。MayIcometotellyougood-by？Ifnot，Godblessyoualways。CHAD。\"
\"TakethistoMissMargaret，Snowball，andbangmeananswerhereassoonasyoucan。\"
\"Yessuh。\"
Theblackboywasnotgonelong。Chadsawhimgoupthesteps，andinafewmomentshereappearedandgallopedback。
\"OleMistissaydeyain\'tnoanswer。\"
\"Thankyou，Snowball。\"ChadpitchedhimacoinandlopedontowardLexingtonwithhisheadbent，hishandsfoldedonthepommel，andthereinsflappingloosely。WithinonemileofLexingtonheturnedintoacross-roadandsethisfacetowardthemountains。
Anhourlater，theGeneralandHarryandDanstoodonthebigportico。Inside，themotherandMargaretwereweepingineachother\'sarms。Twonegroboyswereeachleadingasaddledhorsefromthestable，whileSnowballwasblubberingatthecornerofthehouse。AtthelastmomentDanhaddecidedtoleavehimbehind。IfHarrycouldhavenoservant，Dan，too，wouldhavenone。Danwascryingwithoutshame。Harry\'sfacewasaswhiteandsternashisfather\'s。AsthehorsesdrewneartheGeneralstretchedoutthesabreinhishandtoDan。
\"Thisshouldbelongtoyou，Harry。\"
\"Itisyourstogive，father，\"saidHarry，gently。
\"Itshallneverbedrawnagainstmyroofandyourmother。\"
Theboywassilent。
\"YouaregoingfarNorth？\"askedtheGeneral，moregently。\"YouwillnotfightonKentuckysoil？\"
\"Youtaughtmethatthefirstdutyofasoldierisobedience。ImustgowhereI\'mordered。\"
\"Godgrantthatyoutwomaynevermeet。\"
\"Father！\"Itwasacryofhorrorfromboththelads。
Thehorseswerewaitingatthestiles。TheGeneraltookDaninhisarmsandtheboybrokeawayandrandownthesteps，weeping。
\"Father，\"saidHarry，withtremblinglips，\"Ihopeyouwon\'tbetoohardonme。Perhapsthedaywillcomewhenyouwon\'tbesoashamedofme。Ihopeyouandmotherwillforgiveme。Ican\'tdootherwisethanImust。Willyoushakehandswithme，father？\"
\"Yes，myson。Godbewithyouboth。\"
Andthen，ashewatchedtheboysridesidebysidetothegate，headded：
\"Icouldkillmyownbrotherwithmyownhandforthis。\"
Hesawthemstopamomentatthegate；sawthemclasphandsandturnoppositeways——onewithhisfacesetforTennessee，theothermakingfortheOhio。Danwavedhiscapinalastsadgood-by。Harryrodeoverthehillwithoutturninghishead。TheGeneralstoodrigid，withhishandsclaspedbehindhisback，staringacrossthegrayfieldsbetweenthem。Throughthewinds，camethelowsoundofsobbing。
CHAPTER21。MELISSA
Shortlyafterdusk，thatnight，twoorthreewagonsmovedquietlyoutofLexington，underalittleguardwithgunsloadedandbayonetsfixed。BackattheoldArmory——thehomeofthe\"Rifles\"——adozenyoungstersdrilledvigorouslywithfacesinabroadgrin，astheysweptunderthemottoofthecompany——\"OurlawsthecommandsofourCaptain。\"Theywerefollowingoutthosecommandsmostliterally。NeverdidLieutenantHuntgivehisordersmoresonorously——hecouldbeheardforblocksaway。Neverdidyoungsoldiersstampoutmaneuversmorelustily——theymademorenoisethanaregiment。Notamancarriedagun，thoughringingordersto\"Carryarms\"and\"Presentarms\"madethewindowsrattle。ItwasJohnMorgan\'sfirstruse。Whilethatmock-drillwasgoingon，andlisteningUnionistsoutsidewerelaughingtothinkhowthoseRiflesweregoingtobefoolednextday，thegunsofthecompanyweremovinginthosewagonstowardDixie——towardmocking-bird-hauntedBowlingGreen，wheretheunderfed，unclothed，unarmedbodyofAlbertSydneyJohnston\'sarmylay，withonehalf-featheredwingstretchingintotheCumberlandhillsandthefrayededgeoftheothertouchingtheOhio。
Nextmorning，theHomeGuardscamegaylyaroundtotheArmorytoseizethoseguns，andthewilyyoungsterslefttemporarilybehindthey，too，fledforDixie，thatnightgibedthemunmercifully；sothat，thenandthere，alittleinterchangeofpowder-and-ballcivilitiesfollowed；andthus，ontheveryfirstday，DanielDeansmelledtheoneandheardtheotherwhistlerightharmlesslyandmerrily。Straightway，moreguardswerecalledout；cannonwereplantedtosweeptheprincipalstreets，andfromthathourtheoldtownwasundertheruleofaNorthernorSouthernswordforthefouryears\'reignofthewar。
Meanwhile，ChadBufordwasgivingastrangejourneytoDixie。Wheneverhedismounted，shewouldturnherheadtowardtheBluegrass，asthoughitsurelyweretimetheywerestartingforhome。Whentheyreachedtheendoftheturnpike，sheliftedherfeetdaintilyalongthemuddyroad，andleapedpoolsofwaterlikeacat。Climbingthefirstfoot-hills，sheturnedherbeautifulheadtorightandleft，andwithpointedearssnortednowandthenatthestrangedarkwoodsoneithersideandthetumblingwater-falls。Theredofherwidenostrilswasshowingwhenshereachedthetopofthefirstmountain，andfromthathighpointofvantagesheturnedherwonderingeyesoverthewiderollingstretchthatwavedhomeward，andwhinniedwithdistinctuneasinesswhenChadstartedherdownintothewildernessbeyond。Distinctlythatroadwasnopathforaladytotread，butDixiewastoknowitbetterinthecomingwar。
WithintenmilesoftheTurners\'，Chadmetthefirstmanthatheknew——HenceSturgillfromKingdomCome。Hewasdrivingawagon。
\"Howdye，Hence！\"saidChad，reiningin。
\"Whoa！\"saidHence，pullinginandstaringatChad\'shorseandatChadfromhattospur。
\"Don\'tyouknowme，Hence？\"
\"Well，God——I——may——die，ifitain\'tChad！Howairye，Chad？Goin\'uptooleJoel\'s？\"
\"Yes。HowarethingsonKingdomCome？\"
Hencespatonthegroundandraisedonehandhighoverhishead：
\"God——I——may——die，iftharhain\'thelltopayonKingdomCome。Youbetterkeepoffo\'KingdomCome，\"andthenhestoppedwithanexpressionofquickalarm，lookedaroundhimintothebushesanddroppedhisvoicetoawhisper：
\"ButIhain\'tsayin\'aword——rickollectnow——notaword！\"
Chadlaughedaloud。\"What\'sthematterwithyou，Hence？\"
Henceputonefingerononesideofhisnose——stillspeakinginalowtone：
\"Whut\'dIsay，Chad？D\'Isayoneword？\"Hegathereduphisreins。\"YourickollectJakeandJerryDillon？\"Chadnodded。\"YouknowJerrywasal\'aysa-runnin\'overJake\'causeJake\'didn\'thavegoodsense。Jakewasdrappedwhenhewasababy。Well，JerrystruckJakeovertheheadwithafence-rail\'bouttwomonthsago，anwhenJakecometo，hehadjustasgoodsenseasanybody，andnowhehatesJerrylikepizen，anJerry\'shalfafeardofhim。An\'theydosayahowthemtwobrothersaira-goin\'\"AgainHencestoppedabruptlyandcluckedtohisteam\"ButIain\'ta-sayin\'aword，now，mindye——notaword！\"
Chadrodeon，amused，andthinkingthatHencehadgonedaft，buthewastolearnbetter。Areignoffortyyears\'terrorwasstartinginthosehills。
NotasoulwasinsightwhenhereachedthetopofthehillfromwhichhecouldseetheTurnerhomebelow——aboutthehouseortheorchardorinthefields。NooneansweredhishallooattheTurnergate，thoughChadwassurethathesawawoman\'sfigureflitpastthedoor。ItwasafullminutebeforeMotherTurnercautiouslythrustherheadoutsidethedoorandpeeredathim\"Why，AuntBetsey，\"calledChad，\"don\'tyouknowme？\"
AtthesoundofhisvoiceMelissasprangoutthedoorwithawelcomingcry，andrantohim，MotherTurnerfollowingwithabroadsmileonherkindoldface。Chadfeltthetearsalmostcome——thesewerefriendsindeed。HowtallMelissahadgrown，andhowlovelyshewas，withhertangledhairandflashingeyesanddelicatelymodelledface。Shewentwithhimtothestabletohelphimputuphishorse，blushingwhenhelookedatherandtalkingverylittle，whiletheoldmother，fromthefence，followedhimwithherdimeyes。AtonceChadbegantoplybothwithquestions——wherewasUncleJoelandtheboysandtheschool-master？And，straightway，Chadfeltareticenceinboth——acuriousreticenceevenwithhim。Oneachsideofthefireplace，oneachsideofthedoor，andoneachsideofthewindow，hesawnarrowblocksfixedtothelogs。
Onewasturnedhorizontal，andthroughtheholeunderitChadsawdaylight——portholestheywere。Atthedoorweretakenblocksascatchesforapieceofuprightwoodnearby，whichwasplainlyusedtobarthedoor。Thecabinwasafortress。Bydegreesthestorycameout。Theneighborhoodwasinaturmoilofbloodshedandterror。TomandDolphhadgoneofftothewar——Rebels。OldJoelhadbeencalledtothedooronenight，afewweekssince，andhadbeenshotdownwithoutwarning。Theyhadfoughtallnight。
Melissaherselfhadhandledarifleatoneoftheportholes。Rubewasoutinthewoodsnow，withJackguardingandtakingcareofhiswoundedfather。A
HomeGuardhadbeenorganized，andDawsDillonwascaptain。Theyweredrivingoutofthemountainseverymanwhoownedanegro，fornearlyeverymanwhoownedanegrohadtaken，orwasforcedtotake，theRebelside。TheDillonswereallYankees，exceptJerry，whohadgoneoffwithTom；andthegiantbrothers，RebelJerryandYankeeJake——asbothwerealreadyknown——hadsworntokilleachotheronsight。Bushwhackinghadalreadybegun。WhenChadaskedabouttheschool-master，theoldwoman\'sfacegrewstern，andMelissa\'slipcurledwithscorn。
\"Yankee！\"ThegirlspatthewordoutwithsuchvindictivebitternessthatChad\'sfaceturnedslowlyscarlet，whilethegirl\'skeeneyespiercedhimlikeaknife，andnarrowedas，withpalefaceandheavingbreast，sherosesuddenlyfromherchairandfacedhim——amazed，bewildered，burningwithsuddenhatred。
\"Andyou\'reanother！\"Thegirl\'svoicewaslikeahiss。
\"Why，\'Lissy！\"criedtheoldmother，startled，horrified。
\"Lookathim！\"saidthegirl。Theoldwomanlooked；herfacegrewhardandfrightened，andsherosefeebly，movingtowardthegirlasthoughforprotectionagainsthim。Chad\'sveryheartseemedsuddenlytoturntowater。HehadbeendreadingthemomenttocomewhenhemusttellHeknewitwouldbehard，buthewasnotlookingforthis。
\"Youbettergitaway！\"quaveredtheoldwoman，\"aforeJoelandRubecomein。\"
\"Hush！\"saidthegirl，sharply，herhandsclinchedlikeclaws，herwholebodystiff，likeatigressreadytoattack，orawaitingattack。
\"Mebbehecomehyehtofindoutwhartheyair——don\'ttellhim！\"
\"Lissy！\"saidChad，brokenly。
\"Thenwhutdidyoucomefer？\"
\"Totellyougood-by，Icametoseeallofyou，Lissy。\"
Thegirllaughedscornfully，andChadknewhewashelpless。Hecouldnotexplain，andtheycouldnotunderstand——nobodyhadunderstood。
\"AuntBetsey，\"hesaid，\"youtookJackandmein，andyoutookcareofmejustasthoughIhadbeenyourownchild。YouknowI\'dgivemylifeforyouorUncleJoel，oranyoneoftheboys\"——hisvoicegrewalittlestern——\"andyouknowit，too，Lissy——\"
\"You\'remakin\'thingswuss，\"interruptedthegirl，stridently，\"an\'nowyou\'regoin\'todoallyoucantokillus。Ireckonyoucanseethatdoor。Whydon\'tyougoovertotheDillons？\"shepanted。\"They\'refriendso\'your\'n。An\'don\'tletUncleJoelorRubeketchyouanywharroundhyeh！\"
\"I\'mnotafraidtoseeUncleJoelorRube，Lissy。\"
\"Youmustgitaway，Chad，\"quaveredtheoldwoman。\"Theymoughthurtye！\"
\"I\'msorrynottoseeJack。He\'stheonlyfriendIhavenow。\"
\"Why，Jackwouldsnarlatye，\"saidthegirl，bitterly。\"HehatesaYankee。\"
Shepointedagainwithherfinger。\"Ireckonyoucanseethatdoor。\"
Theyfollowedhim，Melissagoingontheporchandtheoldwomanstandinginthedoorway。OnonesideofthewalkChadsawarose-bushthathehadbroughtfromtheBluegrassforMelissa。Itwasdying。Hetookonesteptowardit，hisfootsinkinginthesoftearthwherethegirlhadevidentlybeenworkingaroundit，andbrokeofftheonegreenleafthatwasleft。
\"Here，Lissy！You\'llbesorryyouweresohardonme。I\'dnevergetoveritifIdidn\'tthinkyouwould。Keepthis，won\'tyou，andlet\'sbefriends，notenemies。\"
Hehelditout，andthegirlangrilystrucktherose-leaffromhishandtoherfeet。
Chadrodeawayatawalk。Twohundredyardsbelow，wherethehillrose，theroadwashock-deepwithsand，andDixie\'sfeetwereasnoiselessasacat\'s。A
fewyardsbeyondaravineontheright，astonerolledfromthebushesintotheroad。InstinctivelyChaddrewrein，andDixiestoodmotionless。Amomentlater，acrouchingfigure，withalongsquirrelrifle，slippedoutofthebushesandstartednoiselesslyacrosstheravine。Chad\'spistolflashed。
\"Stop！\"
Thefigurecrouchedmore，andturnedaterror-strickenface——DawsDillon\'s。
\"Oh，it\'syou，isit——Well，dropthatgunandcomedownhere。\"
TheDillonboyrose，leavinghisgunontheground，andcamedown，trembling。
\"What\'reyoudoin\'sneakingaroundinthebrush？\"
\"Nothin\'！\"TheDillonhadtomaketwoeffortsbeforehecouldspeakatall。
\"Nothin\'，jes\'a-huntin\'！\"
\"Huntin\'！\"repeatedChad。Heloweredhispistolandlookedatthesorryfiguresilently。
\"Iknowwhatyouwerehuntin\'，yourattlesnake！IunderstandyouarecaptainoftheHomeGuard。Ireckonyoudon\'tknowthatnobodyhastogointothiswar。Thatamanhastherighttostaypeaceablyathome，andnobodyhastherighttobotherhim。Ifyoudon\'tknowit，Itellyounow。IbelieveyouhadsomethingtodowithshootingUncleJoel。\"
TheDillonshookhishead，andfumbledwithhishands。
\"IfIknewit，I\'dkillyouwhereyoustand，now。ButI\'vegotonewordtosaytoyou，youhell-pup。Ihatetothinkit，butyouandIareonthesameside——thatis，ifyouhaveanyside。Butinspiteofthat，ifIhearofanyharmhappeningtoAuntBetsey，orMelissa，orUncleJoel，orRube，whiletheyareallpeaceablyathome，I\'mgoin\'toholdyouandTadresponsible，whetheryouareornot，andI\'llkillyou\"——heraisedonehandtomaketheAlmightyawitnesstohisoath——\"I\'llkillyou，ifIhavetofollowyoubothtohellfordoin\'it。Now，youtakekeerof\'em！Turn\'round！\"
TheDillonhesitated。
\"Turn！\"Chadcried，savagely，raisinghispistol。\"Gobacktothatgun，an\'ifyouturnyourheadI\'llshootyouwhereyou\'resneakin\'aroun\'toshootRubeorUncleJoel——intheback，youcowardlyfeist。Pickupthatgun！Now，letheroff！Seeifyoucanhitthatbeech-treeinfrontofyou。Justimaginethatit\'sme。\"
TheriflecrackedandChadlaughed。
\"Well，youain\'tmuchofashot。Ireckonyoumusthavechillsandfever。Now，comebackhere。Givemeyourpowder-horn。You\'llfinditontopofthehillontheright-handsideoftheroad。Now，youtrot——home！\"
ThenDillonstared。
\"Double-quick！\"shoutedChad。\"Yououghttoknowwhatthatmeansifyouareasoldier——asoldier！\"herepeated，contemptuously。
TheDillondisappearedonarun。
Chadrodeallthatnight。Atdawnhereachedthefoot-hills，andbynoonhedrewupattheroadwhichturnedtoCampDickRobinson。Hesattherealongtimethinking，andthenpushedontowardLexington。Ifhecould，hewouldkeepfromfightingonKentuckysoil。
Nextmorninghewasgoingataneasy\"running-walk\"alongtheoldMaysvilleroadtowardtheOhio。WithinthreemilesofMajorBuford\'s，heleapedthefenceandstuckacrossthefieldsthathemightgoaroundandavoidtheriskofapainfulchancemeetingwithhisoldfriendoranyoftheDeans。
Whatalandofpeaceandplentyitwas——thewoodlands，meadows，pasturelands！
Fatcattleraisedtheirnosesfromthethickgrassandlookedwithmildinquiryathim。Sheepranbleatingtowardhim，asthoughhewerecometosaltthem。Arabbitleapedfromathorn-bushandwhiskedhiswhiteflagintosafetyinahemp-field。Squirrelsbarkedinthebigoaks，andacoveyofyoungquailflutteredupfromafencecornerandsailedbravelyaway。\'Possumsignswereplentiful，andontheedgeofthecreekhesawacoonsolemnlysearchingunderarockwithonepawforcrawfishEverynowandthenDixiewouldturnherheadimpatientlytotheleft，forsheknewwherehomewas。TheDeans\'housewasjustoverthehillhewouldhavebuttheridetothetoptoseeitand，perhaps，Margaret。Therewasnoneed。Ashesat，lookingupthehill，Margaretherselfrodeslowlyoverit，anddown，throughthesunlightslantingathwartthedreamingwoods，straighttowardhimChadsatstill。Abovehimtheroadcurved，andshecouldnotseehimuntilsheturnedthelittlethicketjustbeforehim。Herponywasmorestartledthanwasshe。Alittleleapofcolortoherfacealoneshowedhersurprise。
\"Didyougetmynote？\"
\"Idid。Yougotmymother\'smessage？\"
\"Idid。\"Chadpaused。\"ThatiswhyIampassingaroundyou。\"
Thegirlsaidnothing。