She closed the clumsy shutters and set the heavy bars into their slots;
then the man came forward, knelt down before her and took her hands.

"Listen, Virginia," he whispered earnestly; "don't you remember how your
dear, dear mother--and I, too, darling--always told you never to tell a
lie?"

"An' I haven't, Daddy-man," she protested, wondering. "'Deed, an' 'deed,
I haven't. Why--"

"Yes, yes, I know," he interrupted hurriedly; "but now--_you must_!" As
the child stepped backward and tried to draw away, he clasped her hands
more tightly still. "But listen, dear; it's to save _me_! Don't you
understand?--and it's _right_! When those men come, they mustn't find
me. Say I _was_ here, but I've gone. If they ask which way, tell them I
went down past the spring--through the blackberry patch. Do you
understand?--and can you remember?" She nodded gravely, and the
Southerner folded her tightly in his arms. "Be a brave little rebel,
honey--_for me_!"

He released her and began to mount the ladder leading to the scuttle in
the ceiling; but halfway up he paused, as Virgie checked him with a
solemn question:

"Daddy--would Gen'ral Lee want me to tell that lie?"

"Yes, dear," he answered slowly, thoughtfully; "this once! And, if ever
you see him, ask him, and he'll tell you so himself. God help you,
darling; it's for General Lee--and _you_!"