CHAPTER II--THE HOME-COMING
"Such is the patriot's boast, where'er we roam, His first, best country, ever is at home."
--Goldsmith.
The bells of Christ Church were pealing out the joyous chime
"Market-day to-morrow!"
as the girl and Robert Dale, followed immediately by the chaise and moreremotely by the wagons, cantered into Front Street. It was Tuesdayevening, or in Quaker parlance, Third Day, and the streets were full ofstir and bustle incident to the preparation for next day's market.
"Oh!" cried Peggy drawing a deep breath. "How good it is to be home oncemore! How musical sounds the rattling of even the carriages!"
"Very harsh music, methinks," smiled the youth.
"But preferable to the croaking frogs and screeching owls of farm life,"said the girl quickly. "If thee had been away for a year I make no doubtbut that thee would be as glad to return to this dear city as I am."
"I make no doubt of it too," he agreed.
"Just think," went on Peggy. "I have not seen either Sally or Bettysince the Fourth of July. Had it not been for thee I would know naughtof what hath occurred since then. Thou hast been very kind to us,Robert."
"It hath been a pleasure," returned he gravely. "I think you cannot knowwhat a relief it is to get away from the incessant round of gaiety withwhich the city seems beset. I weary of it, and long to be in the field."
"I hope that thee will not go just as we have returned to town,"remarked the maiden. "Mother and I will welcome the chance to returnsome of thy favors."
"Don't, Peggy," exclaimed the lad coloring. "I like not for you to speakof requiting favors as though you and your mother owed aught to me. Ithath been a pleasure, as I have said."
"Thee is too modest, Robert. None the less we owe thee much, even thoughthee does try to deny it. How, sir, could we have come to the citywithout thy escort? With father away thee knows that 'twould have beenimpossible for mother and me to have managed the wagons. And----But oh,Robert! Aren't the shops opened yet? So many seemed to be closed."
"Not all are open, Peggy. Everything is fast becoming as 'twas beforethe coming of the British, but it will take some time to restore mattersto a normal condition. 'Tis but September, and they only left in June."
"I know," observed she thoughtfully, "that 'twill be indeed long beforewe are as we were before their coming. An enemy makes sad havoc, does itnot?"
"Yes," he agreed. And then, as the memory of all that the Britishoccupation had brought came to them, they fell into a silence.
In common with many Whig families Lowry Owen and her daughter haddeferred their permanent return to the city until it had regained somesemblance of its former order. Under the command of Major-GeneralArnold, Philadelphia, bruised, and sore, and shaken after the occupationfor nine long months by the British, was striving to become once morethe city of brotherly love, but the throes of reconstruction had not yetsettled into the calm of its former serenity. Something of this wasdiscernible even to the lenient eyes of the overjoyed maiden, and cast amomentary shadow over her happiness at being once more within theconfines of her native city. But, as they entered Chestnut Street, thetinge of sadness vanished, and her eyes sparkled.
"I cannot wait for thee, Robert," she called, giving her mare a gentlepat. "Perhaps the girls may be waiting."
She smiled a farewell, and set off at speed, drawing rein presentlybefore a large double brick house at the western extremity of the town,just across from the State House.
Before she could dismount the door of the dwelling was thrown wide, andtwo girls came running down the steps, and flung themselves upon her.
"Oh, Peggy! Peggy!" they cried simultaneously. "We were waiting forthee. Robert told us that we might look for thee to-day. What kept theeso long? And where is thy mother? And Robert? Is not he with thee?"
"Oh, girls!" exclaimed Peggy, returning their embraces rapturously. "Howgood it is to see you. Sally, thee is prettier than ever! And how Bettyhath grown!"
"Oh, Peggy, I have a thousand things to tell thee," cried Sally Evans."I will give thee so droll an account of my adventures that thee willsmile."
"I am prepared to hear amazing things," answered Peggy. "And I too haveadventures to tell."
"'Tis time for thee to come back, Peggy Owen," exclaimed Betty Williams."For what with the routs and the tea drinkings the city is monstrouslygay. The Tories had it all their way while the British were here, butnow 'tis the Whigs' turn."
"I am not so sure about that, Betty," demurred Sally. "If there is anydifference made 'tis in favor of the Tories."
"I have heard Robert say they were favored," observed Peggy. "It seemsstrange. What causes such conduct?"
"Has thee not heard?" laughed Sally, a mischievous sparkle in her blueeyes. "Know then, Mistress Peggy Owen, that it originates atheadquarters. Cupid hath given our general a more mortal wound than allthe hosts of Britons could. In other words, report hath it that GeneralArnold is to marry our Miss Peggy Shippen. 'Tis union of Whig and Tory,and the Tories are in high favor in consequence."
"Perhaps," said Peggy, "that the general wishes not to carry theanimosities of the field into the drawing-room. I have heard thatgallant soldiers never make war on our sex."
"Well, he certainly is gallant," conceded Sally. "There are many talesafloat concerning his prowess. I make no doubt but that thee has hit theheart of the matter. Ah! here is Robert," as the youth rode up. "Peggydid not need thy assistance to dismount, sir," she cried. "Betty and Ilifted her from Star ourselves."
"I expected it," laughed Robert Dale. "Let me take Star, Peggy. I willcare for her until Tom comes."
"Oh, but," began Peggy in expostulation, when Sally interrupted her.
"Let him take her, Peggy. Is he not an aide? 'Tis his duty."
"Sally, thee is saucy," laughed Peggy resigning the mare into the lad'skeeping. "Come, girls!" leading the way into the dwelling. "Now tell meeverything."
"First," began Betty, "thee is to go with us to see a wonderful aloetree on Fifth Day morn, but more of that anon. Where is thy mother?"
"She is coming in the chaise with Tom, and should be here now. Girls,you should have seen Robert caring for the wagons. He looked like awoodsman. You would have thought that he was about to start for thefrontier."
"She belies me," said Dale entering at this moment. "I will leave it toMistress Owen if I looked like one, though I would I had themarksmanship of a backwoodsman. Our companies of sharpshooters arealmost the mainstay of the army."
"The army?" spoke Mrs. Owen catching the last word as she came into theroom unperceived. "Is there news, Robert? And what about the chances forpeace?"
"The conditions have not changed, Mistress Owen, since last we spoke ofthem," returned the lad. "And peace seems as far off as ever. Sir HenryClinton still holds New York City, while General Washington watches himfrom the highlands of the Hudson. Along the frontier the savage warfarewhich began with the massacre at Wyoming continues, and these, asidefrom skirmishes, constitute all of action there hath been sinceMonmouth. It seems now to be a question of endurance on the part of thepatriots, and of artifice and trickery on the British side."
"But with the French to help us," spoke the lady returning the greetingsof her daughter's friends warmly. "The alliance which Dr. Franklin hathat last succeeded in effecting. Surely with such aid the war must soonbe brought to a close."
"The allies have not been as effective so far as 'twas hoped they wouldprove," announced he. "Many of the people are seriously disaffectedtoward the French, declaring that 'tis only a question of English orFrench supremacy. The soldiers, I grieve to say, incline toward thisview, and the loyalists are doing all they can to further such belief."
"Well, here is one who is not disaffected toward the French," broke inSally. "Oh, Peggy, thee should have been here to attend theentertainment which the French minister gave in honor of the
king'sbirthday. 'Twas highly spoke of, and everybody attended. And he was soconsiderate of the Quakers."
"In what way, Sally?" asked Mrs. Owen.
"Why, he hung a veil between the ballroom and the chamber in which theysat that they might view such worldly pleasures with discretion,"laughed Sally.
"But Sally would not endure it," spoke Betty. "When General Arnold camein she told him that she did not wish to take the veil, as she had notyet turned papist, and desired to partake of her pleasures more openly."
"Sally, thee didn't," gasped Peggy.
"But I did," declared Sally with a toss of her head. "He laughed, andimmediately took me without. And the dressing, Peggy! There never was somuch as there is now. Thee will thank thy stars that thee has been madeto embroider and learn fine sewing, for thee will need it."
"But is there naught but tea drinking, and dancing and dressing?" askedPeggy perplexed. "We used to do so much for the army. Is nothing donenow?"
"Oh, yes;" Sally blushed a little and then brightened up. "I have set astocking on the needles," she said. "True, 'twas some time since, but Iam going to finish it. Mrs. Bache, she that was Sally Franklin, talks ofa society for making shirts and gathering supplies for the soldiers. Ifancy the most of us will belong, and then there will be somethingbeside enjoyment. Does that suit thee, Miss Peggy?"
"Yes," returned Peggy thoughtfully. "Not that I object to the enjoyment,Sally, but I think we ought to do some of both."
"Well, here comes the beginning of the enjoyment," exclaimed Betty fromthe window. "Here is a soldier from headquarters, and I know that hebears an invitation from the general for tea. We had ours this morning."
It was as Betty said, and an orderly was announced almost immediately.
"I cry you pardon, madam," he said advancing toward Mrs. Owen, "forintruding so soon upon you. But a certain aide hath importuned ourgeneral so urgently that you should be waited upon directly upon yourreturn that he dared not delay an instant beyond your arrival to deliverthis invitation to you and to your daughter. He bids me welcome you backto the city in his name, and will do himself the honor to wait upon youin person before the day set."
So saying he handed Mistress Owen two cards upon which were written theinvitations, and bowed himself out.
"Oh, Robert, thee must be the aide of whom he spoke," cried Peggyreceiving her card excitedly. "See, girls! 'tis for tea on Fifth Dayweek. How delightsome! May we go, mother? How exciting town life is! Ihad forgot 'twas so gay."
"Too gay, I fear me," said her mother looking at the invitationdubiously. "Yes; we will go, Peggy, because 'tis right that we shouldpay respect to General Arnold. He hath no small task to restore the cityto order, but I do not wish to be drawn into a round of frivolity."
"But thee must let Peggy frivol a little," protested Sally. "It hathbeen long since she hath been with us, Mistress Owen."
Mrs. Owen laughed.
"A little, Sally, I am willing for. But I wish not that nothing elseshould be thought about. It seems as though the city hath gone wild withmerrymaking. I like it not."
"Of a truth there is too much tea drinking and feasting, madam," spokeRobert Dale soberly. "There are many who are dissatisfied with the stateof things while the army is ill-fed and ill-clothed. I for one would farrather be yonder in the field, even in misery, than here dancingattendance upon routs, and the whims of females."
"Oh, Robert!" came in a reproachful chorus from the girls. "Thee isunmannerly."
"Your pardon," said the youth sweeping them a profound curtsey to hidehis confusion. "I meant no offense to any present, but spoke of the sexin general."
"Thee does not deserve forgiveness; does he, Peggy?" pouted Sally.
"If 'twere for aught else than the army, I should say no," answeredPeggy laughing. "But because he would rather be in the field for thecountry we shall have to forgive him, Sally."
"Thank you, Peggy," said the lad gratefully. "I will try to make amendsfor my untoward speech at another time. Now I must attend my general.Shall I bear your acceptance of his invitation, Mrs. Owen?"
"If thee will, Robert," answered she with a smile.
"Thee is routed, Robert," cried Sally saucily as he left them.