The Horse Soldiers Page #5

No, we will bivouac

in your woods for the night.

Sleeping on the cold, cold ground?

When is this awful, wasteful,

terrible struggle going to end, Colonel?

Brother against brother...

And during our stay no one will

be allowed to leave the premises.

Wherever would we go, Colonel?

I'm sure you must agree that this war

makes loneliness for everyone.

Also, I must commandeer most

of the grain and horses, if you have any.

You will be paid, Miss Hunter,

for everything, in Union greenbacks.

We will not bother you

any longer. Good evening.

Kirby.

- By your leave, ma'am.

Hannah Hunter, what's got hold of you,

talking like a field hand? You alls, we alls.

Yankees.

It's uncanny, Colonel.

I've heard about 'em,

but I didn't believe it.

I received my commission

from the Governor of Michigan.

Young man...

- What's your question?

The question is this man's authority

in his present position.

As usual, I am trying to present

the grim facts of life.

He doesn't understand

that coffee tastes better...

...if the latrines are dug

downstream instead of upstream.

How do you like your coffee, Colonel?

Secord, you oughta...

- Pardon.

Colonel. Colonel Marlowe.

I am forgetting my manners.

Why, how I ever...

Well, I don't believe

I've met these gentlemen.

Miss Hunter. Colonel Secord.

Major Gray. Major Kendall.

Ma'am.

I'm just so scatterbrained.

Poor Papa and Mama must be

turning over in their graves at me...

...for not extending what little hospitality

Greenbriar can offer.

At least I can extend

an invitation to you for dinner.

No, Miss Hunter...

- I insist.

There's three fat capons

that have to go anyhow.

What with our store of grain

being reduced, like you mentioned.

So, you see, you brought it

on yourself, didn't you?

Speaking for myself,

I would be delighted...

Very well, thank you.

Hot food is pretty hard to turn down.

Splendid. Now, how many can I count on?

Would five or six be...?

- Not at all.

Perfectly wonderful.

At nine, gentlemen?

Colonel Secord?

- Of the First Michigan, ma'am.

Major Gray?

- Ma'am.

Major... Kendall, isn't it?

I'm afraid I'll have to regret, ma'am.

It's not of my choice, I assure you.

At the moment, I'm under arrest.

We will all be glad to accept

the invitation, Miss Hunter.

Ma'am?

You dropped your handkerchief.

Care for a little more, Colonel Secord?

- No, thank you, ma'am.

Colonel Marlowe?

No, thank you.

- Come now, Colonel.

A man with a big frame like yours can't

just nibble away like a little old titmouse.

Gentlemen, please be seated.

Now, what was your preference?

The leg... or the breast?

I've had quite enough of both, thank you.

What a shame.

Would anyone else like some more?

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