Part 15 (1/2)
”I do not think they will take Was.h.i.+ngton,” I said. ”I am in no hurry, for my part, to get away. Look - do you say maroon or dark purple for this bit of grounding? I cannot make up my mind.”
Mrs. Sandford dived into the purples and browns of my coloured wools; came back again to McDowell and Beauregard, but came back quieted, and presently left the room. Then, I put down my needle and laid my head on the table, and shook from head to foot with the trembling she had given me. And a longing to see Christian took possession of me; a sick, crying thirst for the sight, if it were only for a minute; the impatient agony of self-will. Necessity's bands and manacles put it down after a time.
The next day was Sunday. I went to church alone, and with my usual average of calm. But I heard some one say to his neighbour, that there was a great battle going forward - with what promise n.o.body knew. The words sent me home with a sort of half breath. I avoided Mrs. Sandford, took no dinner; and in the afternoon feverishly crept out to church again. The air seemed to me full of bodings. Yet I heard nothing. I saw people whisper each other, and nod; I thought good news was given and received, and I breathed a little easier. It was not till I was coming out from the service that any one spoke to me. I found myself then near a gentleman whom we knew.
”Glorious news, Miss Randolph!” he half whispered. ”General Scott will dine with a good appet.i.te to-day.”
”What is the news”
”Oh, a great victory! We have not got the details yet, of course; but it seems all is going right.”
”It _seems_ going right.”
”Yes. You know we have not details yet. There's been heavy fighting, though.”
”Is it a general engagement?”
”Oh, yes! All in that could be in. And some that had no business to be in. They say, Johnston has reinforced Beauregard; but they are totally routed, I believe. So it is said.”
”Who says it?”
”The accounts from the battlefield, I presume. They are coming in all the time. The Nation has triumphed. I congratulate you.
I know you are loyal. Mrs. Sand- ford will be rejoiced. Good afternoon.”
It was too sudden, too soon, and too confused. I could not breathe freely yet. Johnston reinforced Beauregard? That was just what Patterson was expected to prevent; ought to have prevented. Then, probably, Patterson had done no fighting? I was pondering, when I suddenly found Major Fairbairn beside me. He belonged with the troops left to guard Was.h.i.+ngton.
”Oh, Major,” said I, ”what is the news?”
”Firing down in Virginia, -” said the major, laconically.
”Is it true, that a battle has been won by McDowell?”
”I wish it were,” said he; ”but in general it is safe not to speak of a fight till it is over.”
”Then it is not over?”
”I have not heard that it is.”
”But they tell me a fight has been won.”
”They tell every conceivable thing in war-time,” said the major. ”Don't you know that? It is safe to believe nothing.”
”Has Johnston joined Beauregard?”
”I am afraid he has. The advices seem to put that beyond disbelief.”
”You are _afraid!_ Then the news means nothing to you; nothing good, I mean?”
”The rumours mean nothing to me,” said the major, smiling.
”The reliable news is really, so far, not much. It is certain there is a battle going on, Miss Randolph, and a battle along the whole line. And it is certain that Patterson had orders to follow up Johnston, and keep him from troubling us. And I am afraid it is also certain that he has not done it - confound him! Excuse me; but a man who don't obey orders deserves to have people swear at him, Miss Randolph.”
I left the major at a corner, and before I got home, another acquaintance informed me that the victory was undoubted, though severely purchased, and that the city was in a state of exultation. I did not know what to think. I said as little as possible to Mrs. Sandford; but later in the evening Dr.