"Whatever made her shake hands with him?" demanded Mrs. Edwards.
"I suppose she thought she had to, or he would be murdering us all.
The girl acted very properly, and would not have noticed him if he had
not stopped her. But by the Providence of God matters now wear a
better look. This fellow is no longer to be greatly feared. The rebels
lose ground daily in town as well as in the county and state, and this
Hamlin is losing control even over his own sort. If he does not leave
the village he will be arrested soon. There is no need that we should
humble ourselves before him any longer."
All of which was quite true. For while we have been following the
dreams of a fancy-fevered girl, secluded in her snow-bound home among
the hills of Berkshire, the scenes have shifted swiftly in the great
drama of the rebellion, and a total change has come over the condition
and prospects of the revolt. The policy of conciliation pursued by the
state government had borne its fruit, better and more speedy fruit
than any other policy could have borne. Any other would have plunged
the state into bloody war and been of doubtful final issue. The credit
for its adoption is due primarily to the popular form of the
government which made it impossible for the authorities to act save in
accordance with popular sentiment.
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