“I don’t see why they shouldn’t. It’s all bosh about my being a woman. I tell you, Erminie, a healthy young woman is quite as well able to perform military duty as most men are, and much more able than the mere boys they are constantly mustering into the ranks. I put that all to them. But they laughed at me—they did, the narrow-minded old fogies!” “My dear, it was the most indulgent manner in which they could have treated your bad joke,” gravely replied Erminie. “Joke? I never was more in earnest in my life. I did my duty. But they didn’t do theirs. And mind, Erminie, I didn’t abandon my point very easily. I didn’t until they sent me away from the office.” “Well, I hope here is an end of the whole absurd affair, my dear Elfie. And I am very glad that your good father has not been vexed by hearing of it.” “But here is _not_ an end of it. Erminie, I mean either to serve in the army, as some women are doing at this present moment, or I will furnish a substitute in some able bodied alien.” “Then, darling, as your father is well off in means, notwithstanding his great losses, I see no objection to your furnishing a substitute, though you are not obliged to do so. I myself have a representative in the field.” “_You_, Erminie!” “Yes, dear, and I think it the duty of every wealthy and independent woman in the country to have a representative in the army. But come, your father is waiting for you, Elfie. And tea is ready. Let us go to it.” The two girls rose to leave the room. “Dear Elfie, pray do not speak of this vexatious subject before your father this evening. This, you know, is his first day out. He has made a long one of it, and he looks tired; so let him have his tea in peace,” said Erminie, as they went down stairs. “All right. I’ll not say anything to spoil the dear old boy’s digestion or disturb his night’s rest.” “‘Old boy!’ Oh, Elfie! to speak of your father so! How I wish you had a little more veneration!” “So do I; but as I haven’t, what’s the use of talking? May be though honest affection isn’t a bad substitute.” “And you have that, Elfie dear, certainly. Here we are,” said Erminie, opening the back hall door leading out on the lawn, where, under the shade of a spreading horse chestnut tree, the neat tea table was set. Britomarte, Major Fielding and Lieutenant Ethel were already out there. Young Ethel started with delight on seeing Elfie; but Erminie raised her finger in a warning manner, and he subsided into quietness. Not a word was said about Elfie’s adventure. They sat down at the table. Erminie poured out the tea. The major gave a description of the friends he had met at an early dinner at Willard’s. And he spoke of his approaching departure to join his regiment. Lieutenant Ethel announced his own appointment to the command of the gunboat “Thunderbolt,” then lying off the Navy Yard. While they were still at the table the garden gate opened and Justin entered, smiling.