Part 32 (1/2)
”Of course--I only wish I were a man!”
”You have an older brother in New Orleans, I believe?”
”Judge Barton, yes.”
”He, too, will enter the army?”
The girl drew a deep breath and hesitated.
”He says he will not. He is bitterly opposed to my father's views.”
Socola's eyes sparkled.
”He is for the Union then?”
”Yes.”
”He is a man of decided views and character I take it.”
”Yes--as firm and unyielding in his position as my father on the other side.”
”You will be very bitter towards him if war should come?”
”Bitter?” A little sob caught her voice. ”He is my Big Brother. I love him. It would break my heart--that's all--but I'll love him always.”
Her tones were music, her loyalty to her own so sweet in its simplicity, so utterly charming, he opened his lips to speak the first words to test her personal att.i.tude toward him. A flirtation would be delightful with such a girl. And Mr. d.i.c.k Welford was a fearful temptation. He put the thought out of his heart. She was too good and fine to be made a p.a.w.n in such a game. Beside it was utterly unnecessary.
He had gotten exactly the information about this older brother in New Orleans he desired and sat in brooding silence.
Jennie rose suddenly.
”Oh, I forgot--I must go in. My maids are waiting for me, I've an affair to settle between them before they go to bed.”
Socola accompanied her to the door and turned again on the lawn to enjoy the white glory of the Southern moon. The lights were still twinkling in the long rows of negro cabins that lined the way to the overseer's house. Through the shadows of the trees he could see the dark figures in the doorways of their cabins silhouetted against the lighted candles in the background.
He strolled leisurely into the lower hall. The door of the library was open. He paused at the scene within. A group of four little negro girls surrounded Jennie. She was reading the Bible to them.
”Can't you say your prayers together to-night?” the young mistress asked.
The kinky heads shook emphatically.
Lucy couldn't say hers with Amy:
”'Cause she ain't got no brother and sister to pray for.”
Maggie couldn't say hers with Mandy:
”'Cause she ain't got no mother and father.”
So each repeated her prayer alone and stood before their little mistress who sat in judgment on their day's deeds.