She went to her room and thought. He was in a land seething with excitement and patriotic fervor. She knew not what influences a day might bring to bear upon him. Above all else she feared taunts for lack of courage. She knew that her own passionate pride slept in his breast and on a few occasions she had seen its manifestations. As a rule he was too healthful, too well organized and indolent, to be easily irritated, while in serious matters he had not been crossed. She knew enough of life to be aware that his manhood had never been awakened or even deeply moved, and she was eager indeed to accomplish their mission in the States and return to conditions of life not so electrical. In the mean time she felt that she must use every precaution. She summoned a maid and asked that her son should be sent to her. The young man soon lounged in, and threw himself into an easy chair. His mother looked at him fixedly for a moment, and then asked, "Why is young Strahan in THAT uniform?" "I didn't ask him," was the careless reply. "Obviously, however, because he has entered the service in some capacity." "Did he not suggest that it would be a very proper thing for you to do, also?" "Oh, of course. He wouldn't be Strahan if he hadn't. He has a high appreciation of a 'little brief authority,' especially if vested in himself. Believing himself to be so heroic he is inclined to call others to account." "I trust you have rated such vaporings at their worth." "I have not rated them at all. What do I care for little Strahan or his opinions? Nil." "Shall you see much of him while we are compelled to remain in this detestable land?" "More of him than of any one else, probably. We were boys together, and he amuses me. What is more to the point, if I make a Union officer my associate I disarm hostile criticism and throw an additional safeguard around my property. There is no telling to what desperate straits the Northern authorities may be reduced, and I don't propose to give them any grounds for confiscation." "You are remarkably prudent, Willard, for a young man of Southern descent." "I am of Northern descent also," he replied, with a light laugh. "Father was as strong a Northern man--so I imagine--as you are a Southern woman, and so, by a natural law, I am neutral, brought to a standstill by two equal and opposite forces."