But there's a sad lack of cavalry in Washington, and they may want us to go whether we're ready or not.

They sent off a regiment that had neither arms nor uniforms and couldn't even keep step, the other day.

I've an idea we are going pretty soon." He took Ailsa's offered hand, looked at her a little earnestly, smiled in self-satisfaction, and went his way.
Later in the week he came back for a few moments; and all through the week he continued to come back for a few moments whenever he had an hour's leave.
And every time he took his leave his smile became less nervous and more confident.
She was very unhappy; devotion to Dr.Benton's class helped; devotion to Celia in her brief visits to Brooklyn helped, too; devotion to others, to prayer, all helped as long as it was devotion of some sort.
And now this young, blue-eyed, blonde-haired fellow was on the edge of offering to devote himself to her.

She knew it, wondered whether this was her refuge from care.

And when he did, at last, she was quietly prepared to answer.
"Captain Hallam," she said slowly, "I _do_ like you.