“Shucks!” said Julian. “That’s rubbish! The Spaniards did it, as sure as fighting, and, by Jupiter, if they think they can blow up our ships and kill our men and not suffer for it―――― How long do you reckon it’ll be, Major, before we declare war on them?” “Can’t say; maybe a week, maybe a month. I reckon Congress will have to chew it over awhile. But it’s bound to come, and――well, I reckon I’m out of it, Julian,” concluded the Major, with a sigh. “But I’m not!” cried the other. “I’ll go with the hospital corps. It’s the chance of a lifetime, Major! Why, a man can get more experience in two weeks in a field hospital than he can in two years anywhere else! Why――――” “The bell has rung,” interposed Miss India. “You must take dinner with us, Major, and tell us everything you know. Dear, dear, I feel quite worked up! I remember when the news came that our army had fired on Fort Sumter――――” Winthrop laid his hand on the Major’s arm and halted him. “Major,” he said, smiling slightly, “don’t you think you ought to explain to them that the _Maine_ wasn’t a Confederate battleship, that she belonged to the United States and that probably more than half her officers and men were Northerners?” “Eh? What?” The Major stared bewilderedly a moment. Then he chuckled and laid one big knotted hand on Winthrop’s shoulder. “Mr. Winthrop, sir,” he said, “I reckon all that doesn’t matter so much now.” XIV. “I’m going for a walk with Mr. Winthrop, Auntie,” said Holly. She fastened a broad-brimmed hat on her head and looked down at Miss India with soft, shining eyes. Dinner was over and Miss India, the Major and Julian were sitting in a shady spot on the porch. Winthrop awaited Holly at the steps. “Well, my dear,” answered Miss India. “But keep Mr. Winthrop away from those dark, damp places, Holly. It’s so easy to get the feet wet at this time of year.” “You see, Uncle Major,” laughed Holly, “she doesn’t care whether I catch cold or not; it’s just Mr. Winthrop!” “Holly!” expostulated her Aunt. “She knows, my dear,” said the Major, gallantly, “that those little feet of yours will skim the wet places like swallows!” “Thank you, sir!” She made a face at the Major. “You will be here when we get back, won’t you, Julian?” “I don’t know,” answered Julian, dismally. “We won’t be long.” She nodded to the trio and joined Winthrop, and side by side they went down the steps, wound through the garden and disappeared into the oleander path. Julian watched them with a pain at his heart until they were out of sight, and for several minutes afterwards he sat silent, thinking bitter thoughts. Then a remark of the Major’s aroused him and he leaped impetuously into the conversation. “Trouble!” he exclaimed. “Why, we can clear the Spaniards out of Cuba in two weeks. Look at our ships! And look at our army! There isn’t a better one in the world! Trouble! Why, it’ll be too easy; you’ll see; it’ll be all over before we know it!”