There was a long, quiet pause. Magnus waited for his mother to speak, and her words were not ready. The young cadet, looking at her again, found no shocked expression, as he had feared; the tender face was grave and thoughtful, but calm; the eyes gazing out far beyond him. "Dear," she said at last, "are all the men in your Company Christians?" "All the men in my Company? Well, I should say not." "Or all your special associates?" "Why, no! Not by several and many." "Magnus, suppose this pretty place was suddenly peopled with aliens, and not an American left but the one in charge of the colours. What should he do?" "Hang out the garrison flag, if it blew to tatters!" said Magnus. Mrs. Kindred laughed, but her eyes filled and her lips trembled. "Yes, dear," she said. "So do." XXI ME ONLY "Everything goes away," said the Dryad: "goes away as the clouds go, never to return." --HANS ANDERSEN. That was the last long talk they had together. A brief walk next morning before eight o'clock; another--ah, how short--to the brow of the hill where they had met that first day; and then Magnus pulled his cap over his eyes and strode away to his hidden nook, and the mother went quietly sobbing down the hill. Alas! how fast the minutes flew now that had seemed so loitering when she came. As for Magnus, he watched the ferryboat every foot of the way over; waved his cap frantically to the cluster of dark spots that went up the sloping path to the station; then listened for the roar of the coming train with an intensity that made him start when he heard it. With a great pang he saw the pliant black line wind out from between the cloven rocks and swing along to the station, almost holding his breath in the minute's hush that came next. Hardly a minute; then puffs of black smoke curled up into the air, the engine gave its usual snort at such trifles as love and life and parting, and the train glided on into the tunnel, flew out across the bay, and past the Island; the trail of smoke fainted and faded away on the sweet summer air, and Cadet Kindred shook his fist at the whole thing. What right had that black engine to carry his mother off before his very eyes? And what business had he to be lingering there behind her? If it could have been done suddenly and quietly, I believe Magnus would have resigned on the spot, and taken the next train home.