Part 17 (1/2)
”Daisy!” Mrs. Sandford exclaimed. ”Are you faint, my dear?
These are only casualties. My dear, are you faint? what is the matter? - Bless me, how white you are! What is it?”
I drank the water, and struggled back into composure, at least outwardly; being very much surprised at myself.
”But what _is_ the matter, Daisy? what is the matter? I have said nothing in the world. Cannot you bear that?”
”Major Fairbairn was going to tell us something, ma'am,” I said, endeavouring to throw my thoughts off.
”That can wait until you are better.”
”No,” I said, ”do not wait. I am well. What were you going to say, major?”
”Only that things are much better than they were supposed to be yesterday.”
”You said that before. Please go on.”
”Well, it is always so,” said the major. ”At first all the stragglers are counted for lost. Then they come in. They are coming in now, by scores, all the while. Instead of thousands killed and wounded, it is found to-day that there are but five or six hundred; and without being particularly hard-hearted, I rejoice at it. That is part of what I was going to say.”
The major spoke gravely, and looked at me with an anxious expression. I a.s.sured him I was better, and begged him to tell us the rest.
”You have put it all out of my head, Miss Randolph. Will you have - won't you have - something else? - wine? Pardon me, you have not regained your usual colour.”
”The best thing would be some more of your good news. I have a great appet.i.te for good news, after yesterday.”
”Naturally. Well, the rest of my news is very good. The country is answering the call made upon her.”
”The call for fort.i.tude?” said Mrs. Sandford.
”The call for men, - and for pluck, if you like,” said the major.
”More men,” - said Mrs. Sandford.
”Certainly. We must have men. And from every quarter, wherever we have heard, there comes an enthusiastic response. Sixty thousand new men have been accepted already by the Government; and they are coming in all the while. There will be a very great number of fresh arrivals here in a very few days. Miss Randolph, your question is answered.”
”What question, Major Fairbairn?”
”Whether the North would give up, you know.”
”I am glad,” I said. ”I am glad!”
”And even in saying it, you grow pale again, Daisy. You are not well!” Mrs. Sandford exclaimed.
”Perfectly well. These times are exciting.”
”Rather too exciting. I like the excitement that brings the blood into the cheeks. Do go out and take a walk; you want fresh air; or yesterday has unstrung your nerves. But you were so quiet, I thought nothing moved you. Do go and take a walk, Daisy.”
The major added a quiet word of urging, saying that if I could go at once, he would see that I did not faint before I got home.
I was bewildered, I think, or I should not have gone; but I wanted to get away from the talk and to feel the fresh air; I was stifled; and I went. My nervous perturbation was a surprise to me. I had given up everything, I thought; I was quite calm, ready for everything. I thought I was; and yet, so little a word had unsettled me. So I went with the major. And then, I was brought to myself presently by more than the fresh air; for I found my friend somewhat too happy in his charge, and more careful of me than I chose he should think there was any occasion for. Moreover, I could not bear to accept his care. I summoned my forces and plunged him into a depth of political and philosophical discussion which he could not get out of till he left me again at my own door. I rea.s.sured Mrs.