"True," replied Jeanne, and feeling that it would be ungracious to give further expression to her distrust she went slowly back to the parlor. Why should she, a mere child, presume to doubt a man whom the General and even her own father trusted? "But I do wish," sighed she as she opened the door of the apartment. "I do wish that he were not the man."
"Here are the papers," she said, going straight to Mr. Archer.
"Thank you." Archer took the papers mechanically and without another word or look at her turned to the Orderly, and was conducted from the room.
Jeanne stood looking after him somewhat dismayed. Was this all? Some way she had thought, had expected it to be so different. Mr. Huntsworth, Captain Leathers, even the great Farragut had seemed to consider that she had done wonders in carrying the papers but this man thought nothing of her action. Tears of disappointment welled to her eyes.
"Never mind, child," said Farragut seeing her distress. "Some people are so matter of fact that they suppose the whole world is of the same way of thinking. Besides, the consciousness of a good action is its own reward."
"Ye-es," said Jeanne, "I know that it ought to be. It says so in my copy-book. But I thought that it would be so different."
"It would be a fine thing if all our acts would receive approbation," remarked General Butler. "Brass bands and calcium lights are things that human nature craves for deeds well done, but they are seldom given. That is, until one dies."
"Don't be cynical, General," laughed Farragut. "The child will find it out soon enough."
"Yes; I suppose so," replied Butler. "Didn't you say something about an uncle, Admiral?"
"Yes; that is the next thing in order. She is to stay with him until her father tells her to return. Her uncle is Benjamin Vance."
"Whe-ew," whistled the General an expression of blank amazement on his face. "Did you say Benjamin Vance?"
"I do," replied the General emphatically. "And this girl is his niece, and she brings papers down here to Archer? It is about the boldest thing I ever heard of!"
"I'll tell you presently. Come here, girl. Do you hear often from your uncle?" he asked as Jeanne approached.
"No, sir. Father has not heard from him in years. He came South long before I was born, but I remembered that he lived here when I was getting father to let me bring the papers."