"As long as Flutey isn't busy, wouldn't it be nice to have her tell us a teeny-weeny bit of that war story?" ventured Dot Starr.
"Oh, yes! Please do! Flutey, do tell!" came from various directions.
"Why, that would be lovely, Aunt Selina, if you will," added Mrs. Talmage.
Thus besieged, Aunt Selina decided to yield to the children.
"Let me see," she began. "I must have been about eighteen when my dearest friend, Rebecca Crudup, invited me to spend Easter Holidays at her Southern home. We had been chums from the moment we met at Miss Wyland's Seminary for Young Ladies, and the Christmas before the time I just mentioned, Rebecca had visited my home at Happy Hills. Mother liked Rebecca immensely, but she feared the fighting in the South might create trouble for me if I went with Becky. We reassured her, however, and an unwilling consent was written from home.
"A week before the vacation began, Becky received a letter asking her to start home as soon as she received the word, as important matters in the family had to be looked after.
"As this would give us an extra week's holiday we hailed the letter with joy. The girls stood about enviously watching us pack our carpetbags and Rebecca's trunk. I packed many of my things in her trunk to save the trouble of transporting two to Tennessee. We left the next morning 'midst shouts reminding us to be sure to be on hand when school re-opened.
"We enjoyed the journey during the first part of the way, but, as the train sped on, the country showed signs of the desolation wrought by war, and we sobered from our happy laughter to serious contemplation.
"The nearer to Nashville that we came, the deeper the evidence that war was an awful thing. We saw burned homes, devastated land and forlorn-looking families as we passed by.
"Rebecca's father met us at the station in Nashville and welcomed me with a surprised manner. Turning to his daughter, he spoke in a serious tone.
"'We will endeavor to give your friend an enjoyable visit, daughter, but it doesn't seem promisin'. Evidently you did not receive our telegram?'
"'Only this letter, father,' replied Becky, showing him the last letter received by her.
"'Hum! well, we will live up to our reputation, Miss Selina, and be the true Southern hosts.'