--I don't know
what use they could make of it, but they can surely do something. The
net curtains will do to stretch over hospital beds. Call one of the
boys, Julius, and have them all taken down.--Well, what is it?"

"Miss Lucy, chile, when you done sont de curtains ter Richmon', how is
you gwine surmantle de windows?"

"We will leave them bare, Julius. All the more sunlight."

Unity came in, knitting. "Aunt Lucy, the velvet piano cover could go."

"That's a good idea, dear. A capital blanket!"

"A soldier won't mind the embroidery. What is it, Julius?"

"Miss Unity, when you done sont dat kiver ter Richmon', what you gwine
investigate dat piano wif?"

"Why, we'll leave it bare, Julius! The grain of the wood shows better
so."

"The bishop," said Miss Lucy thoughtfully--"the bishop sent his study
carpet last week. What do you think, Unity?"

Unity, her head to one side, studied the carpet. "Do you reckon they
would really sleep under those roses and tulips, Aunt Lucy? Just imagine
Edward!--But if you think it would do any good--"

"We might wait awhile, seeing that spring is here. If the war should
last until next winter, of course we shall send it."

Unity laughed. "Julius looks ten years younger! Why, Uncle Julius, we
have bare floors in summer, anyhow!"

"Yaas, Miss Unity," said Julius solemnly. "An' on de hottes' day ob July
you hab in de back ob yo' haid dat de cyarpets is superimposin' in de
garret, in de cedar closet, ready fer de fust day ob November. How you
gwine feel when you see November on de road, an' de cedar closet bar ez
er bone? Hit ain' right ter take de Greenwood cyarpets an' curtains, an'
my tablecloths an' de blankets an' sheets an' Ole Miss's fringed
counterpanes--no'm, hit ain't right eben if de ginerals do sequesterate
supplies! How de house gwine look when marster come home?"

Molly entered with her knitting. "The forsythia is in bloom! Aunt Lucy,
please show me how to turn this heel. Car'line says you told her not to
make sugar cakes for Sunday?"

"Yes, dear, I did. I am sorry, for I know that you like them. But
everything is so hard to get--and the armies--and the poor people. I've
told Car'line to give us no more desserts."

"Oh!" cried Molly. "I wasn't complaining! It was Car'line who was
fussing. I'd give the army every loaf of sugar, and all the flour. Is
that the way you turn it?

Knit--knit--knit--
The soldiers' feet to fit!"