wretched ranch and stockade where we got fresh horses and a perfectly
uneatable dinner.

It was dark when we reached the post, so of course we could see
nothing that night. General and Mrs. Phillips gave us a most cordial
welcome--just as though they had known us always. Dinner was served
soon after we arrived, and the cheerful dining room, and the table
with its dainty china and bright silver, was such a surprise--so much
nicer than anything we had expected to find here, and all so different
from the terrible places we had seen since reaching the plains. It was
apparent at once that this was not a place for spooks! General
Phillips is not a real general--only so by brevet, for gallant service
during the war. I was so disappointed when I was told this, but Faye
says that he is very much afraid that I will have cause, sooner or
later, to think that the grade of captain is quite high enough. He
thinks this way because, having graduated at West Point this year, he
is only a second lieutenant just now, and General Phillips is his
captain and company commander.

It seems that in the Army, lieutenants are called "Mister" always, but
all other officers must be addressed by their rank. At least that is
what they tell me. But in Faye's company, the captain is called
general, and the first lieutenant is called major, and as this is most
confusing, I get things mixed sometimes. Most girls would. A soldier
in uniform waited upon us at dinner, and that seemed so funny. I
wanted to watch him all the time, which distracted me, I suppose, for
once I called General Phillips "Mister!" It so happened, too, that
just that instant there was not a sound in the room, so everyone heard
the blunder. General Phillips straightened back in his chair, and his
little son gave a smothered giggle--for which he should have been sent