faults, always comforting herself with the belief that he was merely
high-spirited and would settle down when he grew older.

Miss Lou wished to speak to the mother before the son returned, and
in the hope of securing a merciful ally in the lady, went down
immediately to receive her. Mr. Baron was on the back porch calling,
"Chunk, where in the mischief are you?" Where, indeed, with the
start he had gained for the Union lines?

"My dear niece," cried Mrs. Whately, effusively, "how glad I am to
see you, and to take you in my arms on this deeply interesting
occasion!" but the matron was troubled at the girl's red eyes and
pallid face.

"I will show you to your room at once," said Mrs. Baron to her
guest, decisively and significantly.

Miss Lou was right in believing that the situation and the unhappy
appearance of the prospective bride would be explained. She had been
forestalled in her chance to make an appeal. Mrs. Baron emphatically
sustained her husband's purpose, concluding: "My dear sister, in
this crisis you will have to take a firm stand with the rest of us.
Louise is acting like a perverse child, and no more realizes the
necessity and wisdom of our course than a baby."

Meantime the outcry for Chunk increased, and Miss Lou was troubled
that he did not respond. Taking advantage of the fact that her
mistress was upstairs, Zany stole swiftly, with many a misgiving, to
Aun' Jinkey's cabin.