The major obeys orders

“He’s going fast.” So the nurse whispered to Miss Stannard, as with Mr. Dilke and Old G. A. R., she came in that December afternoon. As the three neared the little bed, shut off by the screens from the rest of the ward, they found the Angel already there in the arms of a tall, dark gentleman, while by Joey’s pillow knelt a slender lady with shining hair and grave, sweet eyes like the Angel’s.

The Major tried to smile a welcome. “They’ve come ter carry Angel home, they have,” he whispered, “her dad an’ her mammy.”

The white hand of the Angel’s “Mammy,” took Joey’s softly and her eyes were full of tears. “Joey is going home too,” she said.

The Major’s eyes wandered questioningly “The big Angel’s come to get th’ little Angel but my Mammy ain’t come to get me?”

“She has not come, Joey dear,” the soft voice explained, “because she is waiting for you. Joey is going to her.”

The little voice was very weak now, very wistful. “Goin’ now?” asked the Major.

“Yes, Joey.”

His whisper could hardly be understood when after a long pause, he spoke again. “I want th’ Cap’n ter gimme th’ order, ’cause I b’long ter th’ Reg’ment.”

“What order, Major?” came from the Captain huskily.

“Old G. A. R. he knows ” the Major’s voice could just be caught now.

Old G. A. R. who had given the order to those little feet so many times, knew and understood, and his big voice rolled out with suspicious unsteadiness now, “Attention Company! Forward ” then the old soldier’s voice broke as the little eyelids fluttered. Old G. A. R. could not go on.

“ March!” came softly from Van Alstine Dilke, and with a ghost of his old, roguish smile the Major’s eyes closed, as he obeyed orders.