Part 13 (1/2)
Just then the boys came rus.h.i.+ng in from taking the horses to the stable. They made a dive toward the fire to warm their little chapped hands.
”I told you Hugh warn't as tall as the General,” said Frank, across the hearth to w.i.l.l.y.
”Who said he was?”
”You!”
”I didn't.”
”You did.”
They were a contradictory pair of youngsters, and their voices, pitched in a youthful treble, were apt in discussion to strike a somewhat higher key; but it did not follow that they were in an ill-humor merely because they contradicted each other.
”What _did_ you say, if you didn't say that?” insisted Frank.
”I said he _looked_ as if he _thought_ himself as tall as the General,” declared w.i.l.l.y, defiantly, oblivious in his excitement of the eldest brother's presence. There was a general laugh at Hugh's confusion; but Hugh had carried an order across a field under a hot fire, and had brought a regiment up in the nick of time, riding by its colonel's side in a charge which had changed the issue of the fight, and had a sabre wound in the arm to show for it. He could therefore afford to pa.s.s over such an accusation with a little tweak of w.i.l.l.y's ear.
”Where's Cousin Belle?” asked Frank.
”I s'peck she's putting on her fine clothes for the General to see.
Didn't she run when she heard he was here!”
”w.i.l.l.y!” said his mother, reprovingly.
”Well, she did, Ma.”
His mother shook her head at him; but the General put his hand on the boy, and drew him closer.
”You say she ran?” he asked, with a pleasant light in his eyes.
”Yes, sirree; she did _that_.”
Just then the door opened, and their Cousin Belle entered the room.
She looked perfectly beautiful. The greetings were very cordial--to Hugh especially. She threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
”You young hero!” she cried. ”Oh, Hugh, I am so proud of you!”--kissing him again, and laughing at him, with her face glowing, and her big brown eyes full of light. ”Where were you wounded? Oh! I was so frightened when I heard about it!”
”Where was it? Show it to us, Hugh; please do,” exclaimed both boys at once, jumping around him, and pulling at his arm.
”Oh, Hugh, is it still very painful?” asked his cousin, her pretty face filled with sudden sympathy.
”Oh! no, it was nothing--nothing but a scratch,” said Hugh, shaking the boys off, his expression being divided between feigned indifference and sheepishness, at this praise in the presence of his chief.
”No such thing, Miss Belle,” put in the General, glad of the chance to secure her commendation. ”It might have been very serious, and it was a splendid ride he made.”
”Were you not ashamed of yourself to send him into such danger?” she said, turning on him suddenly. ”Why did you not go yourself?”
The young man laughed. Her beauty entranced him. He had scars enough to justify him in keeping silence under her pretended reproach.