"Well," he remarked, "it does not seem to be
age that makes us wise so much as eyes that see and a brain back of
them. Scoville is a gentleman and a good soldier. He is also
unusually well educated and thoughtful for his years. You are right,
my dear. Pardon me, but you keep reminding me of my daughter, and I
like to think of all that's good and gentle before a battle."
"I wish I could meet her," said Miss Lou simply.
"Come and visit her after the war, then," said the general
cordially. "The hope of the country is in the young people, who are
capable of receiving new and large ideas." Having made his
acknowledgments to Mr. Baron and Mrs. Whately, he repaired to the
veranda and lighted a cigar. The staff-officers, who had tried to
make themselves agreeable on general principles, also retired.
Miss Lou's cheeks were burning with an excitement even greater than
that which the conflicts witnessed had inspired--the excitement of
listening to voices from the great unknown world. "These courteous
gentlemen," she thought, "this dignified general who invites me to
visit his daughter, are the vandals against whom I have been warned.
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