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。