He had been doing man's work,--work requiring vigilance, activity, and courage,--and they could no longer treat him as a boy.

As he became stronger he took to riding about the plantation; but not upon Wildfire, for his horse was still with the troop, Colonel Stuart having promised to see that the animal was well cared for, and that no one should ride upon it but himself.
"I hope you like Jonas Pearson better than you used to do, Vincent," Mrs.Wingfield said a day or two before he started to rejoin his troop.
"I can't say I do, mother," he replied shortly.

"The man is very civil to me now--too civil, in fact; but I don't like him, and I don't believe he is honest.

I don't mean that he would cheat you, though he may do so for anything I know; but he pretends to be a violent Secessionist, which, as he comes from Vermont, is not natural, and I imagine he would sing a different tune if the bluecoats ever get to Richmond.

Still I have nothing particular to say against him, except that I don't like him, and I don't trust him.