eenth century classics.

"I think this must have been a guest chamber," said Dick, "but for us
coming from the rain and mud it's a real palace."

"Then it's fulfilling its true function," said Warner, "because it has
guests now. What a strange household! Did you ever see such a peppery
pair as that swearing old colonel and his acid daughter?"

"I don't know that I blame them. I think, sometimes, George, that
you New Englanders are the most selfish of people. You're too truly
righteous. You're always denouncing the faults of others, but you never
see any of your own. Away back in the Revolution when Boston called,
the Southern provinces came to her help, but Boston and New England have
spent a large part of their time since then denouncing the South."

"What's struck you, Dick? Are you weakening in the good cause?"

"Not for a moment. But suppose Mississippi troops walked into your
own father's house in Vermont, and, as conquerors, demanded food and
shelter! Would you rejoice over them, and ask them why they hadn't come
sooner?"

"I suppose not, Dick. But, stop it, and come back to your normal
temperature. I won't quarrel with you."

"I won't give you a chance, George. I'm through. But remember that while
I'm red hot for the Union, I was born south of the Ohio River myself,
and I have lots of sympathy for the people against whom I'm fighting."

"For the matter of that, so've I, Dick, and I was born north of the
Ohio River. But I'm getting tremendously hungry. I hope that cook will
hurry."

They were called soon, and eight officers sat at the table. The cook
himself served them. Miss Woodville had vanished, and not a servant was
visible about the great house. Despite their hunger and the good quality
of the food the group felt constraint. The feeling that they were
intruders, in a sense brigands, was forced upon them. Dick was sure
that the old man with the great bald head was swearing fiercely and
incessantly under his breath.

The dining-room was a large and splendid apartment, and the silver still
lay upon the great mahogany sideboard. The little city, now the camp
of an overwhelming army, had settled into silence, and the twilight was
coming.

With the chill of unwelcome still upon them the officers said little.
As the twilight deepened Warner lighted several candles. The silver
glittered under the flame. Colonel Winchester presently ordered the cook
to take a plate of the most delicate food to Colonel Wo