The major spoke gravely, and looked at me with an anxious
expression. I assured 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 appetite 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 fortitude?" 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 reassured Mrs.
Sandford then; and sat down to my worsted embroidery with a
profound sense of how little my strength was. A few minutes
afterwards Dr. Sandford came in.