All were made to feel themselves quite at home in both
houses; the two families were much like one, and usually spent their
evenings together, in delightful social intercourse; Harold in their midst
on his couch, or reclining in an easy chair, an interested listener to the
talk and occasionally joining in it.
One evening when they were thus gathered about him, Mrs. Carrington,
looking compassionately upon the pale, patient face, remarked, "You suffer
a great deal, Captain Allison?"
"Yes, a good deal," he answered cheerfully, "but not more than I can
easily endure, remembering that it is 'whom the Lord loveth He
chasteneth.'"
"You take a very Christian view of it; but do your sufferings arouse no
bitterness of feeling towards the South?"
"Oh, no!" he answered, earnestly, "why should they? The people of the
South were not responsible for what was done at Andersonville; perhaps the
Confederate government was so only in a measure; and Wirtz was a
foreigner. Besides, there was a great deal endured by rebel prisoners in
some of our Northern prisons. Father," turning to the elder Mr. Allison,
"please tell Mrs. Carrington about your visit to Elmira."
The others had been chatting among themselves, but all paused to listen as
Mr. Allison began his narrative.
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