258



"NANCY PANSY"

The strict regulations established by the sol-
diers prevented any letters from going or com-
ing unopened, and Middleburgh never would
tolerate that. So the only mail which passed
through the office was that which the Baby Vet-
erans received or sent. As stated, Nancy
Pansy's mother, by the old doctor's advice and
for reasons good to her and her friends, still
kept the post-office, under a sort of surveillance,
yet the intercourse with the soldiers was
strictly official; the letters were received or
were delivered by the post-mistress in silence,
or if the Baby Veterans asked a question it
was generally replied to by a haughty bow, or
an ungracious "No."

One mail day Mrs. Seddon was ill, so Nancy
Pansy's sister Ellen had to go to open the mail,
and Nancy Pansy went with her, taking Harry
along, "to take care of them."

It happened that Tom Adams and a friend
came in to ask for their letters. Nancy Pansy's
sister was standing at the table arranging the
mail, and Nancy Pansy was sitting up on the
table by her, holding the battered but cherished
Harry in her lap. The young officer stiffened
up as he saw who was before him.
"Are there any letters for Lieutenant
259



AMONG THE CAMPS

Adams?" lie asked, in a very formal and
stately manner.
