He had no need to probe the wound, but saw at once that, while it was a painful and dangerous hurt, no vital part had been touched. To Flora, who asked many questions in a tone of unaffected concern, he explained that the cough was caused by inflammation of the lung tissues, which would pass away as the wound healed. He said that it would be necessary for him to give the wound only one more dressing, which could be done the next morning, if the ladies could put up with his presence for that length of time; or, if they preferred, he could call an ambulance and have the wounded man carried along with the army, though that would be both awkward and dangerous. The condition of the lungs, he said, was such that the slightest exposure might result in pleurisy or pneumonia.
Both the ladies protested so earnestly against the removal of the wounded man that Dr. Pruden inwardly abused himself for having formed the idea that Southern women had violent prejudices against the Yankees. During the discussion Aunt Candace had come in. She knew nothing of the scheme that O'Halloran had employed to se-
