"It is not her silence which troubles me as much as the knowledge that
she possess no other money than Confederate notes," replied Alfred.
"How she will manage to support herself and the children God only
knows."

"Have you not friends there?" enquired Harry.

"Yes, but I cannot depend on them for assistance, for two reasons:
first, because from the disordered state of the money market in New
Orleans, they are almost as badly off as she is; and second, I am
quite certain that Eva would rather starve than ask for charity."

"Charity!", echoed his companion. "Do you call it charity to assist
another situated as your wife is, particularly where her husband is
far from her fighting for his country?"

"You do not know the people of New Orleans," replied Alfred. "No
matter how kindly a favor may be bestowed on them, it is still
considered charity, and though dire necessity may induce them to
accept aid if proffered, the knowledge that they were eating the bread
of charity, would embitter each mouthful."

"Pooh, pooh," said his friend, "all these fine notions would do very
well before the war, but at the present time the least we think of
them the better."

"It is all very well for you to speak that way," answered Alfred, "for
you have no wife and children to cause uneasiness, but I cannot be
otherwise than anxious to know what has become of her, that I receive
no letters, while other prisoners have had theirs regularly by mail."