“Mean again to you, were they? Small, contemptible spirits! How tyranny in high places is always imitated by the mob!” “Not so much that, father; but--there was news.” “Oh, news. I see. Was the conscription-list in?” “A special messenger brought it.” “And did you see it? or hear it read?” “Adam Johns read it out loud.” And then there was silence between them. The man could not quite condescend to ask for the desired information; the boy could not quite bring himself to the point of volunteering it. So they stood there in the gathering darkness, speechless. Over their heads the great wheel creaked and whirred. And each knew, in his heart, that the other knew that Rhett Bannister’s name was on the list of drafted men. Out in the road there was the noise of wagon-wheels going by, mingled with the talking of men. And then, above the rattle of the wheels, above the creaking and groaning of the windmill, above the howling of the wind, came the voice of one shouting:-- “Rhett Bannister--you copperhead--you’re drafted--thank God!” That was all. The voices were again silent. The wagon passed on, the whir and wheeze of the windmill never ceased. In the darkness Bob could not see his father’s face, but he knew as well how it looked as though the sun of midday shone on it. And then, involuntarily, from his own lips came the confirmation:-- “Father, it is true.” But Rhett Bannister did not reply. He stood there in the darkness, dimly outlined, immovable. Still the wheel went round, faster and faster in the driving wind, and the boughs of the maples, bending and springing in the gale, swept and scraped against the eaves of the work-shop. Then the doorway was darkened by another figure. Bob’s mother, peering into the gloom, called out:-- “Rhett, dear, are you there?” “Yes, Mary.” “Rob hasn’t come yet.” “Yes, mother, I’m here too.” “I’m so glad! What was it those men shouted, Rhett? Does it mean any harm to you?” “I hope not, Mary. It was just some wild zealot echoing the sentiment of his crazy masters, that’s all. We’ll go in to supper now.” As he spoke, Bannister pulled the lever that clamped the wheel, and the whirring and grinding ceased. Then he locked the shop-door and they all went down the path to the house.