"
Betty smiled; and then, while Mrs. Lightfoot stood sharply regarding
Car'line, who was shucking a tray of young corn, she timidly began upon her
mission. "The flags must be finished, and I can't find the silk," she
pleaded. "Isn't there a scrap in the house I may have? Let me look about
the attic."
The old lady shook her head. "I haven't allowed anybody to set foot in my
attic for forty years," she replied decisively. "Why, I'd almost as soon
they'd step into my grandfather's vault." Then as Betty's face fell she
added generously. "As for white silk, I haven't any except my wedding
dress, and that's yellow with age; but you may take it if you want it. I'm
sure it couldn't come to a better end; at least it will have been to the
front upon two important occasions."
"Your wedding dress!" exclaimed Betty in surprise, "oh, how could you?"
Mrs. Lightfoot smiled grimly.
"I could give more than a wedding dress if the Confederacy called for it,
my dear," she answered. "Indeed, I'm not perfectly sure that I couldn't
give the Major himself--but go upstairs and wait for me while I send
Car'line for the keys."
She returned to the storeroom, and Betty went upstairs to wander leisurely
through the cool faintly lighted chambers. They were all newly swept and
scented with lavender, and the high tester beds, with their slender fluted
posts, looked as if they had stood spotless and untouched for generations.
In Dan's room, which had been his mother's also, the girl walked slowly up
and down, meeting, as she passed, her own eyes in the darkened mirror.
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