“I do not wonder,” said Robert, “that we had this war.  The nation had sinned enough to suffer.”

“Yes,” said Iola, “if national sins bring down national judgments, then the nation is only reaping what it sowed.”

“What are your plans for the future, or have you any?” asked Robert.

“I intend offering myself as a teacher in one of the schools which are being opened in different parts of the country,” replied Iola.  “As soon as I am able I will begin my search for my dear mother.  I will advertise for her in the papers, hunt for her in the churches, and use all the means in my power to get some tidings of her and my brother Harry.  What a cruel thing it was to separate us!”

CHAPTER XVII.

FLAMES IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM.

“Good morning,” said Dr. Gresham, approaching Robert and Iola.  “How are you both?  You have mended rapidly,” turning to Robert, “but then it was only a flesh wound.  Your general health being good, and your blood in excellent condition, it was not hard for you to rally.”

“Where have you been, Doctor?  I have a faint recollection of having seen you on the morning I was brought in from the field, but not since.”

“I have been on a furlough.  I was running down through exhaustion and overwork, and I was compelled to go home for a few weeks’ rest.  But now, as they are about to close the hospital, I shall be permanently relieved.  I am glad that this cruel strife is over.  It seemed as if I had lived through ages during these last few years.  In the early part of the war I lost my arm by a stray shot, and my armless sleeve is one of the mementos of battle I shall carry with me through life.  Miss Leroy,” he continued, turning respectfully to Iola, “would you permit me to ask you, as I would have someone ask my sister under the same circumstances, if you have matured any plans for the future, or if I can be of the least service to you?  If so, I would be pleased to render you any service in my power.”

“My purpose,” replied Iola, “is to hunt for my mother, and to find her if she is alive.  I am willing to go anywhere and do anything to find her.  But I will need a standpoint from whence I can send out lines of inquiry.  It must take time, in the disordered state of affairs, even to get a clue by which I may discover her whereabouts.”

“How would you like to teach?” asked the Doctor.  “Schools are being opened all around us.  Numbers of excellent and superior women are coming from the North to engage as teachers of the freed people.  Would you be willing to take a school among these people?  I think it will be uphill work.  I believe it will take generations to get over the duncery of slavery.  Some of these poor fellows who came into our camp did not know their right hands from their left, nor their ages, nor even the days of the month.  It took me some time, in a number of cases, to understand their language.  It saddened my heart to see such ignorance.  One day I asked one a question, and he answered, “I no shum’.”