nt!
We don't have to cross a river with an overwhelming army pressing down
upon us! We don't have to ride before the dawn on a scout which may
lead us into a thicket full of hostile riflemen. We're in a city, boy,
and our business now is beauty and pleasure!"

"Harry," said Dalton, "you ought to go far."

"Why, George? What induces you to assume the role of a prophet
concerning me?"

"Because you're so full of life. You're so keen about everything.
You must have a heart and lungs of extra steam power."

"But I notice you don't say anything about brain power. Maybe you think
it's the quiet, rather silent fellows like yourself, George, who have an
excess of that."

"None of your irony. Am I not looking forward to this ball as much as
you are? I was a boy when I entered the war, Harry, but two years of
fighting day and night age one terribly. I feel as if I could patronize
any woman under twenty-five, and treat her as quite a simple young thing."

"Try it, George, and see what happens to you."

"Oh, no! I merely said I felt that way. I've too much sense to put it
into action."

"Do you know, George, that when this war is over it will be really time
for us to be thinking about girls. We'll be quite old enough. They say
that many of the Yankee maidens in Philadelphia and New York are fine
for looks. I wonder if they'll cast a favoring eye on young Southern
officers as our conquering armies go marching down their streets!"

"It's too remote. Don't think about it, Harry. Richmond will do us for
the present."

"But you can let a fellow project his mind into the future."

"Not so far that we'll be marching as conquerors through Philadelphia and
New York. Let's deal with realities."

"I've always thought there was something of the Yankee about you, George,
not in political principles--I never question your devotion to the cause--
but in calculating, weighing everything and deciding in favor of the one
that weighs an ounce the most."

"Are you about through dressing? You've taken a minute longer than the
regular time."

There was a knock at the door, and, when Dalton opened it a few inches,
a black head announced through the crack that breakfast was ready.

"See what a disgrace you're bringing upon us," said Dalton. "Delaying
everything. Mrs. Lanham will say that we're two impostors, that such
malingerers cannot possibly belong to the Army of Northern Virginia."

"Lead on," said Harry. "I'm