But the woman, Miss Carden, was surely kind to you. If she hadn't found
you wandering around in the rain you'd have doubtless dropped down and
died. God bless the ladies."
"And so say we all of us," said Harry.
He returned to Richmond in a few days, bearing more dispatches, and to
his great delight all that was left of the Invincibles arrived a week
later to recuperate and see a little of the world. St. Clair and Happy
Tom plunged at once and with all the ardor of youth into the gayeties of
social life, and the two colonels followed them at a more dignified but
none the less earnest pace. All four appeared in fine new uniforms,
for which they had saved their money, and they were conspicuous upon
every occasion.
Harry was again at the Curtis house, and although it was not a great
ball this time the assemblage was numerous, including all his friends.
The two colonels had become especial favorites everywhere, and they were
telling stories of the old South, which Harry had divined was passing;
passing whether the South won or not.
Although there had been much light talk through the evening and an
abundance of real gayety, nearly every member of the company,
nevertheless, had serious moments. The news from Tennessee and Georgia
was heavy with import.
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