going, ma'am,
before you know what it is?

MISS SUSAN. I--I--indeed--to be sure--I--I know, Mr. Brown.

PHOEBE. Susan!

MISS SUSAN. I mean I do not know. I mean I can guess--I mean----
Phoebe, my love, explain. (_She goes out._)

VALENTINE (_rather disappointed_). The explanation being, I suppose,
that you both know, and I had flattered myself 'twas such a secret. Am
I then to understand that you had foreseen it all, Miss Phoebe?

PHOEBE. Nay, sir, you must not ask that.

VALENTINE. I believe in any case 'twas you who first put it into my
head.

PHOEBE (_aghast_). Oh, I hope not.

VALENTINE. Your demure eyes flashed so every time the war was
mentioned; the little Quaker suddenly looked like a gallant boy in
ringlets.

(_A dread comes over_ PHOEBE, _but it is in her heart alone; it shows
neither in face nor voice._)

PHOEBE. Mr. Brown, what is it you have to tell us?

VALENTINE. That I have enlisted, Miss Phoebe. Did you surmise it was
something else?

PHOEBE. You are going to the wars? Mr. Brown, is it a jest?

VALENTINE. It would be a sorry jest, ma'am. I thought you knew. I
concluded that the recruiting sergeant had talked.

PHOEBE. The recruiting sergeant? I see.

VALENTINE. These stirring times, Miss Phoebe--he is but half a man who
stays at home. I have chafed for months. I want to see whether I have
any courage, and as to be an army surgeon does not appeal to me, it was
enlist or remain behind. To-day I found that there were five waverers.
I asked them would they take the shilling if I took it, and they
assented. Miss Phoebe, it is not one man I give to the King, but six.

PHOEBE (_brightly_). I think you have done bravely.

VALENTINE. We leave shortly for the Petersburgh barracks, and I go to
London tomorrow; so this is good-bye.

PHOEBE. I shall pray that you may be preserved in battle, Mr. Brown.

VALENTINE. And you and Miss Susan will write to me when occasion
offers?

PHOEBE. If you wish it.

VALENTINE (_smiling_). With all the stirring news of Quality Street.

PHOEBE. It seems stirring to us; it must have been merely laughable to
you, who came here from a great city.

VALENTINE. Dear Quality Street--that thought me dashing! But I made
friends in it, Miss Phoebe, of two very sweet ladies.

PHOEBE (_timidly_). Mr. Brown, I wonder why you have been so kind to
my sister and me?

VALENTINE. The kindness was yours. If at first Miss Susan amused