human
It's positively uncanny----
gpt
The silence--yes, Ned Vaughan answered slowly.
human
I wondered if you had felt it, too.
gpt
It's more like a funeral than an Inauguration.
human
If you believe General Scott there may be several funerals in Washington before the day's work is done.
gpt
And you _don't_ believe him?
human
Nonsense! All this feverish preparation for violence----
gpt
I'm afraid you're not a good judge of the needs of the incoming administration. As an avowed Secessionist--you're hardly in their confidence.
human
Thank God, I'm not.
gpt
What are those horses doing over there by the trees?
human
Masked battery of artillery.
gpt
Don't be silly!
human
It's true. Old Scott's going to save the Capital on Inauguration Day any how! The Avenue's lined with soldiers--sharpshooters posted in the windows along the whole route of the Inaugural procession, a company of troops in each end of the Capitol. He has built a wooden tunnel from the street into the north end of the building and that's lined with guards. A squad of fifty soldiers are under the platform where we're going to sit----
gpt
No!
human
Look through the cracks and see for yourself!
gpt
I do see them moving, she said slowly, as a look of deep seriousness swept the fair young face.
human
Perhaps General Scott's right after all. Father says we're walking on a volcano----
gpt
But not that kind of a volcano, Miss Betty, Vaughan interrupted.
human
Senator Winter's an Abolitionist. He hates the South with every breath he breathes.
gpt
And prays God night and morning to give him greater strength with which to hate it harder--yes----
human
But you're not so blind?
gpt
There must be a little fire where there's so much smoke. A crazy fool might try to kill the new President.
human
The South won't fight that way. If they begin war it will be the most solemn act of life. It will be for God and country, and what they believe to be right. The Southern people are not assassins. When they take Washington it will be with the bayonet.
gpt
And yet your brother had a taste of Southern feeling here the night of the election when a mob broke in and smashed the office of the _Republican_.
human
A gang of hoodlums, he protested.
gpt
Anything may happen on election night to an opposition newspaper. The Southern men who formed that mob will never give this administration trouble----
human
I'm so anxious to meet your brother, Betty interrupted.
gpt
Why doesn't he come?
human
He's in the Senate Chamber for the ceremonies. He'll join us before the procession gets here.
gpt
He's as handsome as everybody says?
human
I'll admit he's a good-looking fellow if he is my brother.
gpt
And vain?
human
As a peacock----
gpt
Conceited?
human
Very.
gpt
And a woman hater!
human
Far from it--he's easy. He may not think so, but between us he's an easy mark. I've always been afraid he'll make a fool of himself and marry without the consent of his younger brother. He's a great care to me.
gpt
You love him very much?
human
Yes. We've quarrelled every day since the election.
gpt
Over politics?
human
What else?
gpt
Love, perhaps.
human
No, he hasn't seen you yet----