usion
in his words and in his ideas.

When the ice was broken, he succeeded in telling her something about his
adventures in Virginia, and roused a very strong desire in her mind to
see the wonderful Major de Banyan. But his brief hour expired all too
soon; it faded in a moment, and seemed like a tale that was told.

"I wore your socks at the battles of Savage's Station, Glendale and White
Oak Swamp, Miss Ashford," said he; "and I shall keep them for future
service of the same kind. If I am killed in battle, I shall be found with
those socks on my feet."

"Oh, I hope you won't be killed!" exclaimed she with a shudder.

"Well, I hope not; but, as soon as I am able, I shall return to my duty."

"What a brave fellow you are! I shouldn't think you would dare to stand
up before the cannons, and the muskets, and the bayonets."

"When I feel like running away, I always think of my socks," said Somers.

But the carriage had come for him, and Alick stood at the door waiting
for his appearance. He took the little soft white hand in his own, and
readily promised, when she invited him, to call again soon and see her
grandmother, who was out of town that day. Of course, Somers was deeply
interested in that venerable lady, and actually looked forward with
intense pleasure to the anticipated visit.

He was driven to the railroad station, and reached Pinchbrook at "high
twelve," when the Pinchbrookers were just going to their dinners. Captain
Barney, as usual, was at the depot, and gave him a seaman's welcome home.
He insisted upon being driven to the cottage before dinner; and the old
shipmaster, finding that Captain Somers carried too many guns for him,
gracefully yielded the point.

"Bless my stars, if there ain't Thomas!" cried Mrs. Somers as she jumped
up from the dinner-table, and actually upset the teapot in the operation.

"How do you do, mother? How do you do, father?" exclaimed the young
captain as he shook hands with his father and Gran'ther Green, kissed his
mother, and hugged his sister.

"How pale you look, Thomas!" said his mother. "I declare, you are as thin
as a hatchet! How is your arm?"

"Better, mother; I shall be as good as new in a few days."

"You look pale; but your face is as nateral as life," said Gran'ther
Green. "I don't know what we shall do with two cap'ns in the family."

"I think we can manage that, gran'ther," replied Somers, as he took the
place at the table which had been prepared for h