"That's right," sobbed Eliza. "That's right. First Sairy Ann picks on me and then my own husband he picks on me, too. I'm jest distracted. I don't want to stay and I don't want to go." "Yo' 're as bad as McClellan," broke in her husband. "I've come ten miles out o' my way just toe get yo' and take yo' home, if yo' don't want toe stay yere. If yo' think yo' 'll be safer along with these Yankee sympathizers, why jes' say so and stay yere. It doesn't matter very much toe me either way. The only Yanks I can put up with are Jim and Sairy Ann, and I wouldn't put up with them very long if we all weren't members of the same family." "I expect to be shot by the secesh, anyway," broke in Sairy Ann, "and I hope yo' 'll go because I don't want to get shot by any o' my folks." "We're goin' toe go," said the man. To Noel's great relief preparations for departure were at once made. It was not until the man and his wife had left, however, that the mistress of the house brought the waiting young soldier his uniform. Tossing it inside the room, she called out in a voice, which in spite of its sharpness was not unfriendly, "There's yer soldier clothes. Yo' all can put them on and come out and get your breakfast." Only a brief time had elapsed before the summons had been obeyed by Noel, and refreshed by the rest of the night and the clothes which Sairy Ann had made thoroughly presentable, he entered the kitchen. The tall form of the gaunt head of the house seemed to Noel to be even taller than when he had first seen it in the dim light of the preceding night. The expression of the man's face was so doleful that the young soldier felt a fresh sympathy for the sharp-toned woman for whom her husband's slow and undecided ways were a constant source of irritation. As for Sairy Ann herself, Noel saw that her hair was of the tinge which is sometimes associated with certain warlike propensities and also that she was cross-eyed. Indeed, the young soldier decided that never before had he seen any one whose eyes to all appearances might each serve the duty and the place of the other. He was uncertain when she spoke to him whether or not she was looking at him, and he was somehow aware that the woman was keenly aware of the impression which she made upon him. However, his feeling of hunger was now supreme, and as soon as he was bidden to take his place at the table, he began to do ample justice to the simple fare which was provided. The manifest curiosity of the woman was to have no occasion for gratification until the meal was more than half done. Then, unable longer to restrain her feelings, she abruptly inquired, "Now, then, what yo' all doin' here?" "Just now I'm doin' my best to get ready to leave." "Did yo' all hear any voices this mornin'?" inquired Jim slowly. Aware that the interest of the woman in his reply was keen, Noel said, "Why, I heard some talk. Was there anything of special interest?"