Lee." He folded the paper and held it out to Cary who came forward as if in a dream.

Then the General turned his back again and began to rummage on his desk.

The incident was closed.
But there was a rush of bare, childish feet sand before he could escape Virgie's brown little arms were round him and her dimpled chin was pressed against his waist.
The General made no effort to release himself but looked down on her with a softer light in his face than any of his men had seen there in many months.
"And as for you, young lady, the next time you pervert my officers and upset the discipline of the Federal Army--well, I don't know _what_ I'll do with you." He looked down into her face and read there a wistful feminine appeal for outward and visible reconciliation.
"Oh, well," he said with mock resignation, "I suppose I've got to do it," and he stooped and kissed her.

Then he took up his campaign hat and walked towards the door.
Behind him the child in her tattered dress and bare brown legs stood still and threw out her arms to him in a last soft-voiced good-by.
"Thank you, Gen'ral," called the Littlest Rebel, with the light of heaven in her eyes.

"Thank you for Daddy and Colonel Morrison and _me_.
You're another mighty good damn Yankee!" And then, with a cry of surpassing joy and love, she rushed back to where the two men waited for her on their knees..