But Dick changed his mind. His uncle was a colonel on one side, and he
was a lieutenant on the other, and from one point of view it was almost
high treason for them to meet there and talk quietly together, but from
another it was the most natural thing in the world, commanded alike by
duty and affection.
He pushed open the door a little further and stepped inside.
"Uncle George," he said.
Colonel Kenton sprang to his feet, and his sword clattered upon the floor.
"Good God!" he cried. "You, Dick! Here! To-night!"
"Yes, Uncle George, it's no other."
"And I suppose you have Yankees without to take me."
"Those are hard words, sir, and you don't mean them. I'm all alone,
just as you were. I galloped south, sir, to see my mother, whom I found
gone, where, I don't know, and then I couldn't resist the temptation to
come by here and see your house and Harry's, which, as you know, sir,
has been almost a home to me, too."
"Thank God you came, Dick," said the colonel putting his arms around
Dick's shoulders, and giving him an affectionate hug. "You were right.
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