"Well, it's this. You see, it won't ever do for me, a brigadier in
the regular army, to preside over that infant court-martial--there
isn't any precedent for it, don't you see. Very well. I will go
on examining authorities and reporting progress until she is well
enough to get me out of this scrape by presiding herself. Do you
get it now?"

"Oh, yes, sir, I get it, and it's good, I'll go and fix it with
her. LAY DOWN! and stay where you are."

"Why, what harm is he doing?"

"Oh, it ain't any harm, but it just vexes me to see him act so."

"What was he doing?"

"Can't you see, and him in such a sweat? He was starting out to
spread it all over the post. NOW I reckon you won't deny, any
more, that they go and tell everything they hear, now that you've
seen it with yo' own eyes."

"Well, I don't like to acknowledge it, Dorcas, but I don't see how
I can consistently stick to my doubts in the face of such
overwhelming proof as this dog is furnishing."

"There, now, you've got in yo' right mind at last! I wonder you
can be so stubborn, Marse Tom. But you always was, even when you
was little. I'm going now."

"Look here; tell her that in view of the delay, it is my judgment