And merry as birds, through all of his short stay. They would see no
danger in the future: Jim had been scathed in time past so often, yet
come out safe and sound, that they would have no fear for what was to
befall him in time to come. If they had, neither showed it to the other.
Jim thought, "Sallie would break her heart, if she knew just what is
down there,--so it would be a pity to talk about it"; and Sallie
thought, "It's right for Jim to go, and I won't say a word to keep him
back, no matter how I feel."
The furlough was soon--ah! how soon--out, the days of happiness over;
and Jim, holding her in a last close embrace, said his farewell: "Come,
Sallie, you're not to cry now, and make me a coward. It'll only be for a
little while; the Rebs _can't_ stand it much longer, and then--"
"Ah, Jim! but if you should--"
"Yes, but I sha'n't, you see; not a bit of it; don't you go to think it.
'I bear'--what is it? O--'a charmed life,' as Mr. Macbeth says, and
you'll see me back right and tight, and up to time. One kiss more, dear.
God bless you! good by!" and he was gone.
She leaned out of the window,--she smiled after him, kissed her hand,
waved her handkerchief, so long as he could see them,--till he had
turned a corner way down the street,--and smile, and hand, and
handkerchief were lost to his sight; then flung herself on the floor,
and cried as though her very heart would break.
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