No better Christmas dinner was eaten that day in the whole United States.

Invincible youth was around the board, and the two colonels lent dignity to the gathering, without detracting from its good cheer.
The table had been set late, and soon the winter twilight was approaching.

As they took another slice of ham they heard the boom of a cannon on the far side of the Rappahannock.

Harry went to the window and saw the white smoke rising from a point about three miles away.
"They can't be firing on us, can they, sir ?" he said to Colonel Talbot.
"They wouldn't do it on a day like this." "No.

There are two reasons.