I did not mean what I said. There is only one other in the world whom
I'd rather see than you. Dick, I didn't know whether you were dead or
alive, until I saw your face there in the doorway."
It was obvious to Dick that his uncle's emotions were deeply stirred.
He felt the strong hands upon his shoulders trembling, but the veteran
soldier soon steadied his nerves, and asked Dick to sit down in a chair
which he drew close beside his own at the window.
"I thank God again that the notion took you to come by the house,"
he said. "It's pleasant and cool here at the window, isn't it, Dick,
boy?"
Dick knew that he was thinking nothing about the window and the pleasant
coolness of the night. He knew equally well the question that was
trembling on his lips but which he could not muster the courage to ask.
But he had one of his own to ask first.
"My mother?" he asked. "Do you know where she has gone?"
"Yes, Dick, I came here in secret, but I've seen two men, Judge Kendrick
and Dr. Russell. The armies are passing so close to this place, and the
guerillas from the mountains have become so troublesome, that she has
gone to Danville to stay a while with her relatives.
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