It would be terrible if you were to be caught now, just as we have arranged for you to get away." On the following afternoon Vincent told his mother that he was going over that evening to his friend Furniss, as an early start was to be made next morning; they intended to go down the river as far as Yorktown, if not further; that he certainly should not be back for two days, and probably might be even longer.
"This new boating freak of yours, Vincent, seems to occupy all your thoughts.

I wonder how long it will last." "I don't suppose it will last much longer, mother," Vincent said, with a laugh.

"Anyhow, it will make a jolly change for a week.

One has got so sick of hearing nothing talked about but secession, that a week without hearing the word mentioned will do one lots of good, and I am sure I felt that if one had much more of it, one would be almost driven to take up the Northern side, just for the sake of a change." "We should all disown you, Vin," Annie said, laughing; "we should have nothing to say to you, and you would be cut by all your friends." "Well, you see, a week's sailing and fishing will save me from all that, Annie; and I shall be able to begin again with a fresh stock of patience." "I believe you are only half in earnest in the cause, Vincent," his mother said gravely.
"I am not, indeed, mother.

I quite agree with what you and everyone say as to the rights of the State of Virginia, and if the North should really try to force us and the other Southern States to remain with them, I shall be just as ready to do everything I can as anyone else; but I can't see the good of always talking about it, and I think it's very wrong to ill-treat and abuse those who think the other way.