In Columbia, on hearing the name: 'Shall I answer him? See here.'
Annie, on hearing the name: 'Answer! Did you see the paper today? He is killed.' Annie the practical.
Once she came in and sat on the edge of my bed. In those Columbia days, a cloud had come over her bright face. 'Buck, what makes you so pale, dear—and why have that black mantle around you on this warm day?'
'Why not? I feel so sad—black suits me. Alfred Rhett has killed Cousin Ransom in a duel.' Here she drew the mantle close around her face.
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| Sally Campbell Buchanan "Buck" Preston (1842-1880) |
... 'What is the matter with Buck? She has been languishing on that sofa, profoundly indifferent to me and the rest of mankind,' said John Darby.
'Don't you know her yet? She would not listen to that poor fellow while he was alive, and now that he is dead she is brokenhearted. Let her alone, she will soon recover,' said Mary C cheerfully.
Johnny was asked if he were not succumbing, too, to Buck's fascinations. It was a road they all traveled.
'No, never.' He looked alarmed at the bare suggestion. 'I dare not. I would prefer to face a Yankee battery. They say So-and-So is awfully in love with Miss S. P. Then I say, look out! You will see his name next in the list of killed and wounded.'
This was very hard on Buck, but our brave young soldiers faced the music gallantly. Let who would die or be killed, there was always a new crop of flourishing dimensions growing vigorously around her. Lovers were never wanting. I think she was loyal to the dead and missing.
The darling! She has her peculiarities. Who can describe her? This I know, I wouldn't have, if I could, anything altered about her mentally, morally, physically. Of how many people can one say that?"
