Detailed for Duty

He gave his hand to me, and his eye glanced at the figure in
the window. I could not help the thought that he wished it not
there. But things too far down had been stirred in me, for a
little surface matter like this to move my calm.

"What news, major?" my friend asked.

"Good. How do you do, Mrs. Sandford? I told you yesterday that
it would be good."

"Yes, but how good is it, Major Fairbairn?"

"Fine."

"Well, go on and tell us. You are a nice major."

"Thank you. In the first place, as you may remember I said it
would be, the lists of casualties are greatly reduced."

"Casualties?" said Mrs. Sandford. "What is that? I am learning
so many new things."

"The lists of the killed and wounded."

"Oh! That is what a military man calls casualties, Daisy, my
dear."

"It is the term in common use -" said the major, looking
somewhat taken aback.

"I know. Pray, Major Fairbairn, have the officers of the army
the reputation of making good husbands and heads of families?"

"I have always heard that they did," said the major, colouring
a little and by no means free of his astonishment.

"I don't see how they can have any sympathy for little common
heartaches and headaches, though, when to be run through the
body is such a trifle. They can't, I think, major."

"But Mrs. Sandford -"

"For instance," the lady went on, unmercifully, - "for
instance, Miss Randolph has her head taken off by a cannon
ball. The doctor and I are desolate; but Major Fairbairn says
it is a 'casualty.' Or, the doctor himself may be hit by a
shot not intended for him, and put out of charge of his
hospital for ever. Miss Randolph and I are in ashes; but our
friend Major Fairbairn says it is only a 'casualty.' "