"I pledge my word for it, Julia," he had declared to his wife, "it will
take more than a Republican President to sever Virginia from the Union--in
fact, I'm inclined to think that it will take a thunderbolt from heaven, or
the Major for a despot!"
When, as the spring went on, men came from the political turmoil to ask for
his advice, he repeated the words with a conviction that was in itself a
ring of emphasis.
"We are in the Union, gentlemen, for better or for worse"--and of all the
guests who drank his Madeira under the pleasant shade of his maples, only
the Major found voice to raise a protest.
"We'll learn, sir, we'll live and learn," interposed the old gentleman.
"Let us hope we shall live easily," said the doctor, lifting his glass.
"And learn wisdom," added the rector, with a chuckle.
Through the spring and summer they rode leisurely back and forth, bringing
bundles of newspapers when they came, and taking away with them a memory of
the broad white portico and the mellow wine.
The Major took a spasmodic part in the discussions of peace or war, sitting
sometimes in a moody silence, and flaring up, like an exhausted candle, at
the news of an abolition outbreak. In his heart he regarded the state of
peace as a mean and beggarly condition and the sure resort of bloodless
cowards; but even a prospect of the inspiring dash of war could not elicit
so much as the semblance of his old ardour. His smile flashed but seldom
over his harsh features--it needed indeed the presence of Mrs.
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