Then there was a day, in January I think, when a bit of public news was read out in presence of the whole family; a thing that rarely happened. It was evening, and we were all in the parlour with our work. I forget who was the reader, but I remember the words. " 'The steamer, "Star of the West," with two hundred and fifty United States troops on board for Fort Sumter, was fired into' (I forget the day) 'by the batteries near Charleston.' Young ladies, do you hear that? The steamer was fired into. That is the beginning."
We looked at each other, we girls; startled, sorry, awed, with a strange glance of defiance from some eyes, while some flowed over with tears, and some were eager with a feeling that was not displeasure. All were silent at first. Then whispers began.
"Well, _they_ have begun it," said Macy, who was a new York girl.
"Of course. What business had the 'Star of the West' to be carrying those troops there? South Carolina can take care of her own forts."
"Daisy Randolph, you look as solemn as a preacher," said another. "Which side are you on?"
"She is on the right side," said another.
"Of course," said Sally. "She is the daughter of a Southern gentleman!"
"I am not on the side of those who fire the first shot," I said.
"There is no other way," said Sally, coolly. "If a rat comes in your way, you must shoot him. I knew it had got to come. I have heard my uncle talk enough about that."
"But what will be the end of it?" said another.
"Pooh! it will end like smoke. The Yankees do not like fighting they would rather be excused if you please. Their _forte_ is quite in another line out of the way of powder."
I wondered if that was true. I thought of Thorold, and of Major Blunt. I was troubled; and when I went to see Miss Cardigan, next day, I found she could give me little comfort.
"I don't know, my dear," she said, "what they may be left to do. They're just daft down there; clean daft."
"If they fight, we shall be obliged to fight," I said, not liking to ask her about Northern courage; and, indeed, she was a Scotswoman, and what should she know?
"Ay, just that," she replied; "and fighting between the two parts of one land is even the worst fighting there can be. Pray it may not come, Daisy; but those people are just daft."