"
Walter heard it in grave silence, and at the close merely inquired how the
news had come so early.
"Johnson brought it; has gone on now to Ashlands with it; says the city's
in a perfect furor of delight But you, it seems, care nothing about it,"
Arthur concluded with a malignant sneer.
"Not a word of rejoicing over this glorious victory"--cried Enna angrily.
"Of seven _thousand_ over seventy-five?"
"If I were papa, I'd turn you out of the house;" she exclaimed still more
hotly.
"Walter, I have no patience with you," said his father. "To think that son
of mine should turn against his own country!" he added, with a groan.
"No, father, I could never do that," Walter answered with emotion.
"It looks very much like it--the utter indifference with which you receive
this glorious news!" cried Mrs. Dinsmore with flashing eyes. "I'm
positively ashamed of you."
"No, mother, not with indifference, far from it; for it inaugurates a war
that will drench the land with blood."
"Nonsense! the North will never fight. A race of shop-keepers fighting for
a sentiment, poh! But come to breakfast, there's the bell."
"Better," says Solomon, "is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a
stalled ox and hatred therewith." The luxurious breakfast at Roselands was
partaken of with very little enjoyment that morning; by Walter especially,
who had to bear contempt and ridicule; threats also: he was called a
Yankee, coward, poltroon, traitor; and threatened with disinheritance and
denouncement unless he would declare himself for the Confederacy and
enlist in its army.
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