If your father was only at home, I should feel different about it." "He would believe in my fighting for my country, if he were here." "I know he would," said Mrs.Somers, as she took the pen which Thomas handed her, and seated herself at the table.

"If you are determined to go, I suppose you will go, whether I am willing or not." "No, mother, I will not," added Thomas, decidedly.

"I shouldn't have signed the muster roll if you hadn't said you were willing.

And if you say now that you won't consent, I will take my name off the paper." "But you want to go--don't you ?" "I do; there's no mistake about that: but I won't go if you are not willing." Mrs.Somers wrote her name upon the paper.

It was a slow and difficult operation to her, and during the time she was thus occupied, the rest of the family watched her in silent anxiety.