“Most certainly! Do you think that I—that either Holly or I—would continue to[39] remain under this roof a moment longer than necessary now that we know it belongs to a—a Northerner?” [39] “But he writes—he expresses himself like a gentleman, my dear lady, and I feel certain that he would be only too proud to have you remain here——” “I have never yet seen a Northern gentleman, Major,” replied Miss India, contemptuously, “and until I do I refuse to believe in the existence of such an anomaly.” The Major raised his hands in a gesture of helpless protestation. “Madam, I had the honor of fighting the Northerners, and I assure you that many of them are gentlemen. Their ways are not ours, I grant you, nor are their manners, but——” “That is a subject upon which, I recollect, you and my brother were never able to agree.” The Major nodded ruefully. The momentary silence was broken at last by Miss India. [40] [40] “I do not pretend to pit my imperfect knowledge against yours, Major. There may be Northerners who have gentlemanly instincts. That, as may be, I refuse to be beholden to one of them. They were our enemies and they are still my enemies. They killed my brother John; they brought ruin to our land.” “The killing, madam, was not all on their side, I take satisfaction in recalling. And if they brought distress to the South they have since very nobly assisted us to restore it.” “My brother has said many times,” replied the lady, “that he might in time forgive the North for knocking us down but that he could never forgive it for helping us up. You have heard him say that, Major?” “I have, my dear Miss India, I have. And yet I venture to say that had the Lord spared Lamar for another twenty years he would have modified his convictions.” “Never,” said Miss India, sternly; “never!” [41] [41]
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