"Then we will give the boys a good time to-night. They like singing and dad thinks it helps to keep them cheerful. They often sing themselves." "I have heard them in the evening, and I like it when they do not sing rebel songs," said honest Jeanne. "Well, you can hardly expect them to sing any other, can you?" demanded Bob. "I don't suppose that you do like it. I shouldn't want to hear the Federal songs if I were in one of their camps. But the spirits of the men must be kept up for we expect to meet the enemy soon." "Do you?" cried Jeanne. "Oh, Bob, do you think that I could go to my side?" "I don't know, Jeanne. Dad said, you know, that it would be best to go to Jackson with us and then he would send you to the Federals. You wouldn't be any nearer getting home with a party of skirmishers than you are with us." "I suppose not," sighed Jeanne, "but it would be something to be with my own people." "We'll see," replied Bob. "Although I don't like to have you leave, Jeanne. It is a great deal nicer with you here. Dad likes it too, I know, for he said to me yesterday: 'Barbara,' he always calls me Barbara when he is serious, 'I like that little lady. You would please me if you would model your manners after hers. You are a bit hoydenish in your ways, and it grieves me. Fine manners are to a girl as the perfume is to a flower.' I said, copy-book style: 'Honored and respected parent, after having brought me up according to military regulations, don't you think it is a little unjust to twit me with my manners? If they are lacking, blame the code, not me.' And then I saluted, and retired, gracefully, I hope. At any rate the shot told for I heard him laughing as I went out. Now, Miss Vance, let me have a lesson. I suppose it's proper to begin with prunes and prisms. There! do I say that right?" "Oh, Bob," cried Jeanne laughing as Bob perked up her mouth in a funny little grimace. "What a girl you are!" "I hope you are well," went on Bob with a fine affectation of young ladyism. "Beautiful weather we're having, aren't we? There! Do you think dad will like that?" "I like you better your own natural self, and I think that he does too," said Jeanne. "My ways don't suit you, Bob, and yours would not suit me. But I am sure that you could have a fine manner without modeling after me. I like you best just as you are." "So do I," said Bob, tucking her arm comfortably within Jeanne's. "And so does dad but he doesn't know it. I don't want him to get too fond of you."