d now well-nigh ceased to run from me,
so that he could not observe that it was of such a feminine mould.

"Yes, just a deep scratch that I can fix all right myself in my own
bathroom when we get back to the Mansion in time for dinner with the
General by seven-thirty, I hope," said my beloved Gouverneur as he
helped me again to assume the ruined garment of cheviot. "I was born
in the mountains of the State of Harpeth, boy, where when one man
sheds his blood for the life of another, that other is said to be
under bond to his rescuer and that means a tie closer than the
ordinary one of brother by birth. I acknowledge the bond to you for
all time, little brother. Now drive on quickly to the Mansion before
we are in danger of being late for dinner with the General. It will
take me some few minutes to get you out of that shirt and into your
dinner coat. I'll send for it and you can dress with me."

"Oh, no, my beloved Gouverneur Faulkner; I must go immediately to home
and there make myself presentable for a dinner of some very wonderful
pie that my Buzz demanded of that very lovely Madam Taylor in my
honor. That nice black lady, Kizzie, will with joy attend on this
scratch upon my arm, assisted by my good Bonbon," I exclaimed with
great alarm for fear that that very strong mind of my Gouverneur would
command me to make my toilet in his company in the Mansion. "Please do
not command me that I shall not so do."

"Of course, youngster, go to your frolic with the rest of the babes
and sucklings, only remember that I always like to have you with me,
but--never command you when it is not your pleasure," answered that
Gouverneur Faulkner to me with gentleness.

"It is always my pleasure to be with you, my Gouverneur, and I do like
that you command me," I said to him in answer to that gentleness that
had something of a sad longing in it--for that custard pie of Madam
Taylor, I suppose, of which he had probably heard famous mention, but
which I would have believed to have been a longing for Roberta,
Marquise of Grez and Bye, if I had heard it so spoken, with an English
or Russian or French accent, to me in a robe of tulle or sheer linen.
"And may I not return immediately after that supper to that Club of
Old Hickory for conversation with you and my Uncle, the General
Robert?" I asked with eagerness.

"Boy, by the time you have eaten that fatted pie at the Taylors' and
danced at least a portion of it off of your system I'll be--b