"Yes! I was ass enough to try that once," said Preston, "when
I was just come, and thought I must do everything; but if
anybody wants to insult me, let him just ask me to do it
again!"
Preston's mood was unmanageable. I had never seen him so in
old times. I thought West Point did not agree with him. I
listened to the bland, just then playing a fine air, and
lamented privately to myself that brass instruments should be
so much more harmonious than human tempers. Then the music
ceased and the military movements drew my attention again.
"They all walk like you," I observed carelessly, as I noticed
a measured step crossing the camp ground.
"Do they?" said Preston sneeringly. "I flatter myself I do not
walk like all of them. If you notice more closely, Daisy, you
will see a difference. You can tell a Southerner, on foot or
on horseback, from the sons of tailors and farmers — strange
if you couldn't!"
"I think you are unjust, Preston," I said. "You should not
talk so. Major Blunt walks as well and stands much better than
any officer I have seen; and he is from Vermont; and Captain
Percival is from South Carolina, and Mr.
Pages:
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465