[Laughs, leans over, and kisses her.

Char.  If my dear father were only here!  But he’s far down in Alabama with his regiment.

George.  I thank God you are here with mother and little Fair and Bev.

Char.  George, I promised Bev to ask you something.  He’s going off to fight.  I know he’s young, but there are younger boys than he who make brave soldiers.  He wants to be your color-bearer.

George.  I was afraid he wouldn’t stay at home much longer.  But it shall be as he wishes.  I’ll see the place is given him, when father says that he may go.  We must go in and tell them the great news.

[They start to the house.

[Enter Bev from the house.  He runs down into the steps towards
them.

Bev.  I say, Charlotte, have you asked him?

Char. (laughing).  No, he asked me.

George.  We’re going to be married here to-night.

Bev.  What—­really!  Oh, but I’m glad!  I knew it was going to be, but I didn’t know it would be to-night.  Does mother know?

Char.  We’re going in to tell her now.  And, Bev, I asked for your appointment, and some day, before so very long, I’m quite sure you may have it.

Bev (delighted).  You are as great a man as Morgan.  And will I be the color-bearer, and go with you on the marches, and sleep by the camp fire, and have my rations with your men?

George (gaily).  But you must promise not to overeat or oversleep.  We live in such great style, we Morgan men.  Come in; let’s tell them all. (They exit into the house.

Bev.  Hello! there’s Gordon. (Enter Gordon from the road).  I came out to look for you.  Have you had supper?

Gordon.  Yes, I wanted to look about for a minute or so.  I haven’t been here for a long time now.  Well, everything’s the same.  Do you know, Bev, I love this place as though it were my home.

        [Enter Fair from the house, excited.

Fair.  Oh!  Bev, Bev, have you heard!

Bev.  Yes; isn’t it splendid!

Gordon.  What is it?

Fair.  Oh, haven’t you heard about the wedding?

Gordon (slowly, as though anxious).  What wedding?

Fair.  George and Charlotte.  They’re going to be married here to-night.  It’s too lovely.  I’m to be the maid of honor and Carter is to be best man.  And mother and Charlotte are fixing up her dress with flowers.  Isn’t it splendid!

Bev.  I’m going in to help.  Maybe he’ll let me ride down to the camp to get the chaplain.

[Exit into the house.

Fair.  Come, let us go in, too, and help about the wedding.

Gordon.  Fair, will you wait here with me?  I’ve something I must say to you before we go in there.

Fair (surprised).  Something you must say to me; I don’t quite understand.

Gordon.  Then, may I tell you now?

Fair.  Had we not better wait for just a little?  I’ve promised
Carter—­