It was Mr. Brinsmade’s carriage that brought Mrs. Brice home from her trying day in the hospital.  Stephen, just returned from drill at Verandah hall, met her at the door.  She would not listen to his entreaties to rest, but in the evening, as usual, took her sewing to the porch behind the house, where there was a little breeze.

“Such a singular thing happened to-day, Stephen,” she said.  “It was while we were trying to save the life of a poor sergeant who had lost his arm.  I hope we shall be allowed to have him here.  He is suffering horribly.”

“What happened, mother?” he asked.

“It was soon after I had come upon this poor fellow,” she said.  “I saw the—­the flies around him.  And as I got down beside him to fan them away I had such a queer sensation.  I knew that some one was standing behind me, looking at me.  Then Dr. Allerdyce came, and I asked him about the man, and he said there was a chance of saving him if we could only get help.  Then some one spoke up,—­such a sweet voice.  It was that Miss Carvel my dear, with whom you had such a strange experience when you bought Hester, and to whose party you once went.  Do you remember that they offered us their house in Glencoe when the Judge was so ill?”

“Yes,” said Stephen.

“She is a wonderful creature,” his mother continued.  “Such personality, such life!  And wasn’t it a remarkable offer for a Southern woman to make?  They feel so bitterly, and—­and I do not blame them.”  The good lady put down on her lap the night-shirt she was making.  “I saw how it happened.  The girl was carried away by her pity.  And, my dear, her capability astonished me.  One might have thought that she had always been a nurse.  The experience was a dreadful one for me—­what must it have been for her.  After the operation was over, I followed her downstairs to where she was standing with her father in front of the building, waiting for their carriage.  I felt that I must say something to her, for in all my life I have never seen a nobler thing done.  When I saw her there, I scarcely knew what to say.  Words seemed so inadequate.  It was then three o’clock, and she had been working steadily in that place since morning.  I am sure she could not have borne it much longer.  Sheer courage carried her through it, I know, for her hand trembled so when I took it, and she was very pale.  She usually has color, I believe.  Her father, the Colonel, was with her, and he bowed to me with such politeness.  He had stood against the wall all the while we had worked, and he brought a mattress for us.  I have heard that his house is watched, and that they have him under suspicion for communicating with the Confederate leaders.”  Mrs. Brice sighed.  He seems such a fine character.  I hope they will not get into any trouble.”

“I hope not, mother,” said Stephen.