"It's Benton and Parker." she said, casting distracted glances toward the French doors. "They came back from town arguing, loudly. Before she could say  more, Parker came down stairs, rush sack slung over his shoulder.<br/><br/>"Parker, you fool ass," Benton was bellowing. "You always go off half cocked. This not the way of it and you know it. That talk was just Yankee propaganda. Get back here."<br/><br/>Parker never looked back at his handsome older brother. He just stormed into the hallway and kissed Temperance on the cheek. Squaring his shoulders, he told William,<br/><br/>"Will, you are like my own brother. You saved my life  more times that I can count and I have pulled your feet out'n  the fire more times than that. But I'm leaving to join the Union army." Parker seemed ready to defend his choice but Temperance had never seen William so at a loss for words.<br/><br/>"I can only hope where I'm fighting, I won't be shootin' at you or Benton. You will always be my brothers, but a man has to face his own conscience when the sun goes down." Parker was looking above the faces in the crowded room.  His father and mother came hurrying over to him.<br/><br/>When Mr. Hampton heard his plan, he shouted." There is something unnatural about a son who would turn his back on his own people. You gonna be a woman abusing, misbegotten son of a ..."<br/><br/>Mother swatted him on the arm with her fan to interrupt the string of profanity that Papa was sometimes prone to.<br/>"Son, follow your heart and don't forget to write. Maybe someday you will wake up and remember you have Southern blood running in your veins and when you do, we will be here awaitin' on you. Tempe and Will are getting marrit tomorrow. Will you stay?"<br/><br/>He shook his head and dashed a tear from his eyes. "I gotta go." he mumbled and stormed out the door. Leaving amid fighting was easy, but Mother's kindness was almost enough to make him change his mind. He had to leave or he would be lost.<br/><br/>Temperance had not cried out as she watched her favorite brother leave. Her throat was too filled with emotion and she thought she could hear her heart break. Will tipped her chin up, the better to examine her face. She gave him a forced bright smile.<br/>"We're gonna have a weddin' come morning."