CHAPTER VII--HARRIET TAKES MATTERS IN HAND
"I feel less anger than regret. No violence of speech, no obloquy, No accusation shall escape my lips: Need there is none, nor reason, to avoid My questions: if thou value truth, reply."
--"Count Julian," _Walter Savage Landor_.
"And if it had not been for your insisting upon it that shirt wouldnever have been made," went on Harriet in an aggrieved tone.
"I think that 'twas I more than Peggy who persuaded thee to make theshirt," said Mrs. Owen quietly. "It was done to woo thee from thyfancies, Harriet, rather than with any purpose to get thee to aid oursoldiers. If thee will write to thy brother and explain the matter tohim he will forgive thee it. Further, according to John's letter, had itnot been for that very same garment thy brother would not haveacknowledged his identity. So thou seest, my child, that good hath comeout of it after all."
"Why, so it hath," acknowledged Harriet brightening. "I had not thoughtof it in that light, madam my cousin. And would you mind if my brotherwere to come here, if a parole can be obtained for him?"
"Of course he must come here," returned the lady with a smile ofgratification. She was pleased that Harriet should show thoughtfulnessfor her convenience. It had not always been the case with either thegirl or her father. Colonel Owen was wont to demand a thing rather thanrequest it, and Harriet herself had been somewhat addicted to obtainingher desires in the same fashion at Middlebrook. Of late, however, shewas evincing more consideration for both Peggy and herself. "David wouldnot wish it otherwise."
"'Tis very kind of you, my cousin," said the girl with sudden feeling."But you will like Clifford. Indeed no one can help it."
"I am quite sure that we shall," responded Mrs. Owen graciously. "Hisletter bespoke him to be a lad of parts. And now as to the parole. Thatmust first be accomplished before the exchange can be thought of; thelatter will of necessity take time."
"How much?" queried Harriet. "I know that 'twas long before father gothis, but that was in the early part of the war, before England hadconsented to exchange prisoners."
"I know not how long 'twill take, Harriet." Mrs. Owen threaded herneedle thoughtfully. "Those things seem in truth to go by favor. As thybrother well says, if those in authority exert themselves it should bearranged quickly. If they do not then the matter drags along sometimesfor months."
"Awaiting the convenience of the great," added the girl with somebitterness. "And such convenience is consulted only when they have needof further service. The past is always forgotten. Still, father standswell with Sir Henry, and I myself rendered him no little service by whatI did at Middlebrook. I think,--nay, I am sure,--that if I can get his earhe will see that the affair is adjusted according to my wishes. I willwrite to him."
"It may be, Harriet, but thee must make up thy mind to endure somelittle delay. It seldom happens that there are not some rules orregulations to observe, all of which take time. For thy sake we willhope that Clifford's case will be the exception in such matters. We cando naught to-day about it because of the celebration, but to-morrow thouand I will go to Mr. Joseph Reed, the president of the council, who willadvise us about the parole and anent the exchange also."
"Harriet," said Peggy suddenly, "does thee remember that when thybrother is exchanged he must return at once to the British lines? Theehad better not be too eager anent the exchange."
"But I intend to go back with him," Harriet informed her composedly.
"Thee does?" asked Peggy in surprise. "Why?"
"'Tis so much gayer in New York, Peggy. Don't you remember the times wehad before father made us go South? Beside, I cannot hear at all fromfather here. As you know, 'tis almost impossible to get letters throughthe lines to him, and I have had no word since I have been here. I knownot whether he is in Camden, where we left him, or with my LordCornwallis."
"But would he wish thee to be there, my child?" questioned Mrs. Owengravely. "I cannot but think that he would prefer that thee shouldremain with us until he either comes or sends for thee."
"He would not mind if I were with Clifford," returned the girl lightly."We could have great sport there together. Besides, if I wish it fatherwould not care. If he did I could soon bring him to look at the affairwith my eyes. I usually do about as I please; don't I, Peggy?"
"Yes; but Cousin William did not always approve of thy way," remindedPeggy. "If thee continues to dwell in the house thy father had 'twillcost greatly, and once he spoke to me about thy extravagance. He saidthat both thee and thy brother were like to bring him to grief. 'Twasfor that reason that he welcomed the idea that I should look after theexpense. Does thee not remember?"
"I remember naught but that I wondered that you should preferhousewifery to pleasuring," answered Harriet gayly. "Father is alwayscomplaining about extravagance, but he likes right well for me to appearbravely before his friends. La! when one has position to maintain onemust spend money, and no one knows it any better than my father."
Peggy was silent. Did her cousin wish her brother's exchange solely thatshe might return to New York, or was she in truth anxious to be whereshe could hear from her father? Had she really any natural affection foreither, she wondered. Harriet began to laugh at her expression.
"I always know when you are displeased, cousin mine," she said puttingher arm about her. "You pull down the corner of your mouth, so." Suitingthe action to the word. "And your eyebrows go up, so. Now, confess: whenyou were with us, didn't you want to come back to your own people?"
"Yes," admitted Peggy, "I did. But it was because of my mother. Thyfather would not be with thee there, and as thy brother is in the armyalso, he may be sent anywhere in the States at any time. While I knowthat thee must find it far from agreeable to be with those who are notof thy politics, still 'tis the wish of thy father that thee should stayhere."
"Will you never be naught but a prim little Quakeress?" cried Harrietshaking her. "Know then that I have wishes too, and friends there whoare almost as close as kinspeople. Then, too, you would be relieved ofme here. Just think how delightsome that would be," she ended teasingly.
"I am not thinking of us at all," confessed truthful Peggy, "but of whatis best for thee. I feel as though I were responsible to Cousin Williamfor thee."
"Don't you worry, mother mentor," cried Harriet dancing about gleefully."When Clifford comes your responsibility ceases. How he will laugh whenhe finds that I can no longer care for myself. I am going now to myroom, little mother. If I stay longer than you think best call me."
"Thee is saucy," was Peggy's retort, as Harriet ran out of the room,pausing only long enough to make a mouth at her.
But Harriet's high spirits had vanished the next morning when shereturned from her visit to Mr. Reed.
"What think you?" she cried bursting in upon Peggy who was ironing inthe kitchen. "Mr. Reed will see that the parole is given Clifford, butthe exchange must wait until an American prisoner is found of equal rankwith Clifford, who can be given for him. Isn't it provoking!"
"I should think thee could bear the delay patiently so long as thee willhave thy brother with thee," remarked Peggy quietly. "'Twould be farmore vexatious if the parole could not be given."
"Why, of course, Peggy. Oh, well! I suppose that I must content myself.Thank fortune, I can at least write to Clifford. If he were not in therebel lines even that would be denied me. I am going to write him now."
"Mr. Reed was much taken with Harriet," observed Mrs. Owen, entering thekitchen as the English maiden left it.
"But not more than thee appears to be, mother," smiled Peggy. "'Tisamusing to see the difference with which thee regards her now, and theway it was at Middlebrook."
"She seems much improved," answered her mother. "Does thee not think so?So much more thoughtful of others. It did not strike me that she wasmuch given to consideration then; but now----"
"But now thee has had her under thy wing for nearly three
months; theehas nursed her back to health, and humored her every whim as though shewere a child of thine until thee regards her as though she were thy veryown. Thou dear mother!" The girl stopped her ironing long enough to kissher mother tenderly. "Doesn't thee know that whatever thee broods overthee loves?"
Mrs. Owen laughed.
"How well thee knows me, Peggy. But thou art fond of her too, art thounot?"
"Yes, I am, mother," admitted the girl. "Whenever we go anywhere I amproud of her beauty, and that she is my cousin. And my friends here arecharmed with her. Even Sally and Betty--though she sometimes makesdreadful speeches because of being for the king. She can be so sweet,mother, that at times I must steel myself against her, lest I should bemore tolerant of her opinions than is wise."
"As to her being for the king, my child, that, as thee knows, is becauseof being English. And I would not have her feign a belief in the causeof Liberty did she not of a truth hold it to be just. An open foe isever best, Peggy."
"It isn't politics, mother. At least not her feeling toward us, thoughit is trying to stand some of her comments, but----"
"Peggy, thee is troubled anent something," asserted the lady takingPeggy's face between her hands and gazing anxiously into her eyes. "Whatis it, my child?"
"'Tis anent the delay, mother. Should the exchange be effected quicklythen there would be no cause for worry. But if it must be long, asHarriet thinks it may be, then I fear that my cousin will try tocommunicate with Sir Henry Clinton. In fact, she spoke of doing ityesterday, and I cautioned her against it. She said that she would notbring harm to us; but, mother, at her home in New York she was notalways scrupulous about her promise. In truth, she let nothing stand inher way when she had her heart set on doing a thing. I intended tellingthee about the chat when we returned from our ride yesterday, but whatwith the celebration and the letters it escaped my mind."
"Thee may dismiss the matter from thy thoughts, Peggy, for she spokeabout that very thing to Mr. Reed. He told her that it would not helpthe exchange at this time, but that after her brother came it could betaken up. Then, he said, he would see that whatever she might wish tocommunicate to the British commander should reach him."
"Oh, I am so glad," exclaimed Peggy. "It hath given me no small concern,mother. I did not think my cousin would wittingly cause us trouble, butI feared that on the impulse of the moment, she might try to pass aletter through the lines. Thee knows what that would mean, mother?"
"Yes; and she does also, for Mr. Reed went into it with her. He told herto be very careful in speaking even about writing to Sir Henry, as thepeople were in no mood to tolerate communications with the enemy. Sheunderstands all that it means, my child. I think she will do naughtuntil Clifford comes, and perhaps he will be better of judgment thanshe."
"I am so glad," said Peggy again, and much relieved resumed herneglected ironing.
The days passed. March glided into April, but the soft sweet days ofspring brought no letter from Clifford. If the parole had been givenHarriet did not know of it. She fumed and fretted under the waiting.
"Why do I not hear from him?" she cried one morning. "It hath been amonth since I wrote, and it doth not take half so long to hear fromVirginia. I do wish that either I would hear from Clifford, or that Mr.Reed would let me know anent the parole."
"Thee is like to get one of thy wishes, for here comes Mr. Reed now,"said Peggy who was standing by the front window of the living-room.
"Let me go to the door, madam my cousin," exclaimed Harriet as Mrs. Owenstarted to answer the knocker.
"Very well, Harriet," assented the matron with a smile.
But both Peggy and her mother were startled to hear Mr. Reed saygravely, in answer to Harriet's eager questioning:
"Nay; 'tis not about the parole I am come, Mistress Harriet, but anent amore serious matter."
"And what, sir, could be more serious than my brother's release?" cameHarriet's clear voice.
"A charge against you, mistress, would be much more serious," was thereply.
"Of what do you accuse me, sir?" was the girl's haughty query.
"I accuse you of nothing, but I insist upon truthful answers to somequestions. For the sake of these cousins with whom you are staying Ientreat you to reply with truth, and nothing but truth."
"Come, Peggy," cried Mrs. Owen rising. "We will see what this means."