War, not war with armies, but war in its results, had swept over his uncle's home as truly as it had swept over his mother's.

There was no sign of a human being.
Doubtless the colored servants had fled to the Union armies, and to the freedom which they as yet knew so little how to use.

He felt a sudden access of anger against them, because they had deserted a master so kind and just, forgetting, for the moment that he was fighting to free them from that very master.
All the windows were dark, but he walked upon the portico and the dry autumn leaves rustled under his feet.

He would have turned away, but he noticed that the front door stood ajar six or eight inches.

The fact amazed him.