When they had laughed at Beth’s story, they asked their mother for one; and, after a moment’s thought, she said soberly⁠—

“As I sat cutting out blue flannel jackets today, at the rooms, I felt very anxious about father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be, if anything happened to him. It was not a wise thing to do; but I kept on worrying, till an old man came in, with an order for some clothes. He sat down near me, and I began to talk to him; for he looked poor and tired and anxious.

“ ‘Have you sons in the army?’ I asked; for the note he brought was not to me.

“ ‘Yes, ma’am. I had four, but two were killed, one is a prisoner, and I’m going to the other, who is very sick in a Washington hospital,’ he answered quietly.

“ ‘You have done a great deal for your country, sir,’ I said, feeling respect now, instead of pity.