Indeed, as I think it over, it seems to me I do not like battlefields, either.

At all events, I became more and more morose as we traversed that bleak Virginia landscape, and I am afraid that before the day was over I was downright sulky.
As we drove back to Fredericksburg and to the train which was to take us to Charlottesville, my companion made remarks of a general character about people who were trivial minded, and who didn't take a proper interest in the scenes of great historical occurrences.

When he had continued for some time in this vein, I remarked feebly that I loved to read about battles; but that, far from mitigating his severity, only caused him to change his theme.

He said that physical laziness was a terrible thing because it not only made the body soft but by degrees softened the brain, as well.

He said that when people didn't want to see battlefields, preferring to lie in bed and read about them, that was a sign of the beginning of the end.
On various occasions throughout the week he brought this subject up again, and I was glad indeed when, as the time for our party with the beautiful young actress, in Washington, drew near, he began to forget about my shortcomings and think of more agreeable things..