Black Noon Read Online Free PDF Page B

all the hoopla. Haven’t been alone since I got back. And looks like we’re not alone now.”
    â€œGeneral,” Keyes repeated. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou already said that. And it seems like our fi-ancées already are acquainted.” Custer reached out his hand.
    The two men shook.
    â€œWe might as well get acquainted too,” Custer said. “Mind if we join you?”
    â€œNot if you don’t, sir.”
    â€œDon’t ‘sir me’ . . . unless you’re in the army, too.”
    â€œNo, si . . . No, General, getting my law degree. . . .”
    â€œThat so? My commanding officer used to be a lawyer, named Abe Lincoln. Ever hear of him?” Custer repressed a laugh.
    â€œVoted for him,” Keyes said.
    â€œI didn’t,” Custer reposted. “Let’s go on with the picnic . . . together.”
    They did.
    Keyes had, from time to time, caught a glimpse of Custer in Monroe during the past years, but most of the time either he or Custer had been out of town a good deal of those years and in different schools, Keyes studying law and Custer at West Point, but Lorna and Libbie traveled in the same social circles and had become good friends. However, Keyes was surprised and pleased at how affable the Boy General was on such short acquaintance.
    â€œThis is my favorite spot along the Raisin,” Custer pointed out toward the middle of the river. “When we were kids on a school picnic, I damn near drowned there, right Libbie?”
    â€œWell, yes. Autie was an excellent swimmer, but he’d eaten more than his share of apple pie and got a severe cramp showing off swimming across . . .”
    â€œLibbie saved my life . . . jumped in and pulled me out, didn’t you, sweetheart?”
    â€œNot exactly.”
    â€œBut you did pump the apple pie out of me once I landed—while everybody else was making bets on whether I’d survive.”
    â€œAutie’s prone to exaggeration, but it was a close call.” Libbie smiled.
    â€œMay I ask you something, General?” Keyes inquired.
    â€œAbout Libbie?” Custer grinned.
    â€œNo, about your . . . nickname. I’ve heard some, matter of fact, most of the people around Monroe call you Autie . . .”
    â€œ. . . among other things best not repeated when ladies are present.”
    â€œBut why Autie?” Keyes said.
    â€œLet me tell them,” Libbie volunteered.
    â€œGo ahead.”
    â€œWell, when he was a cute little fella, barely able to talk, he tried to pronounce his name; George Armstrong Custer, but Armstrong came out ‘Autie,’ and it stuck. He’s been Autie ever since.”
    â€œSo both of you might just as well call me Autie, too,” Custer added.
    They shared the contents of their picnic baskets, which included chicken, fruit, and cake. Custer had given up liquor after an unfortunate incident during one of his earlier visits to Monroe, but he consumed much lemonade amidst humorous tales of his shenanigans in Monroe and West Point, but inevitably the topic of war was broached.
    â€œHow long do you think it will last, General?”
    â€œIt could’ve been over if it weren’t for Meade and McClellan before him. Neither of them would attack unless he outnumbered the enemy fifteen to one. But Grant’s in charge now—general of the armies of the United States. He split the South when he took Vicksburg, and he’s sending Sheridan to the Shenandoah and Sherman to the South through Georgia to take Atlanta. But those Rebels are determined and will go on fighting till Lee has nothing to fight with. It’ll take every fighting man we can muster, and the sooner we do, the sooner the war will be over and the more of our men—and theirs—will survive.”
    Custer looked directly at Keyes but said nothing more about it.
    â€œGeneral, I have another year to go at law school, do you think . . .”
    â€œI think