BARKET.  Whin they nixt mate.  They tell us there is no such thing as marriage in Hiven.  If Miss Jenny and Captain Heartsease mate there, they’ll invint somethin’ that’s mighty like it.  While I was lyin’ wounded in General Buckthorn’s house at Washington, last summer, and ould Margery was taking care of me, Margery tould me, confidentially, that they was in love wid aitch ither; and I think she was about right.  I’ve often seen Captain Heartsease take a sly look at a little lace handkerchief, just before we wint into battle. [Looks off.] Here’s General Buckthorn himself.  He and I must make it as aisy as we can for Miss Jenny’s poor heart.

Enter GENERAL BUCKTHORN.

BUCKTHORN.  Sergeant Barket!  You haven’t started with those girls yet?

BARKET.  They’re to go in half an hour, sir.

BUCKTHORN.  Be sure they do go.  Is General Haverill here?

BARKET.  Yes, sir; in the house with some of his staff, and the
Surgeon.

BUCKTHORN.  Ah!  The Surgeon.  How is Colonel West, this morning, after the wound he received last night?

BARKET.  He says, himself, that he’s as well as iver he was; but the Colonel and Surgeon don’t agray on that subject.  The dochter says he mustn’t lave his room for a month.  The knife wint dape; and there’s somethin’ wrong inside of him.  But the Colonel, bein’ on the outside himsilf, can’t see it.  He’s as cross as a bear, baycause they wouldn’t let him go to the front this morning, at the head of his regiment.  I happened to raymark that the Chaplain was prayin’ for his raycovery.  The Colonel said he’d court-martial him if he didn’t stop that—­quick; there’s more important things for the Chaplain to pray for in his official capacity.  Just at that moment the trumpets sounded, “Boots and Saddles.”  I had to dodge one of his boots, and the Surgeon had a narrow escape from the ither one.  It was lucky for us both his saddle wasn’t in the room.

BUCKTHORN.  That looks encouraging.  I think Kerchival will get on.

BARKET.  Might I say a word to you, sur, about Miss Jenny?

BUCKTHORN.  Certainly, Barket.  You and old Margery and myself have been a sort of triangular mother, so to speak, to the little girl—­since her own poor mother left her to our care, when she was only a baby, in the old fort on the Plains. [At his side and unconsciously resting his arm over BARKET’S shoulder, familiarly.  Suddenly draws up.] Ahem! [Then gruffly.] What is it?  Proceed.

BARKET.  Her mother’s bosom would have been the softest place for her poor little head to rest upon, now, sur.

BUCKTHORN. [Touching his eyes.] Well!

BARKET.  Ould Margery tould me in Washington that Miss Jenny and
Captain Heartsease were in love wid aitch ither.

BUCKTHORN. [Starting.] In love!

BARKET.  I approved of the match.

BUCKTHORN.  What the devil! [BARKET salutes quickly and starts up stage and out. BUCKTHORN moves up after him; stops at post. BARKET stops in road.