IV
"What have we here, Marjorie?" asked Jim as he walked part of the way to meet her.
"Just a few ribs of pork. I thought that you might like them."
She gave Jim the basket and walked over to Mrs. Cadwalader and kissed her.
"Heaven bless you, Marjorie," exclaimed Nancy as she took hold of the girl's hands and held them.
"Oh, thank you! But it is nothing, I assure you."
"You kin bet it is," announced Jim as he removed from the basket a long side of pork. "Look 't that, Nancy." And he held it up for her observation.
Marjorie had been accustomed to render some relief to Jim and his wife since the time when reverses had first visited them. Her good nature, as well as her consideration of the long friendship which had existed between the two families, had prompted her to this service. Jim would never be in want through any fault of hers, yet she was discreet enough never to proffer any avowed financial assistance. The mode she employed was that of an occasional visit in which she never failed to bring some choice morsel for the table.
"How's the dad?" asked Jim.
"Extremely well, thank you. He has been talking all day on the failure of the French to take Newport."
"What's that?" asked Jim, thoroughly excited. "Has there been news in town?"
"Haven't you heard? The fleet made an attack."
"Where? What about it?"
"They tried to enter New York to destroy the British, but it was found, I think, that they were too large for the harbor. So they sailed to Newport to attack the garrison there."
"Yeh?"
"General Sullivan operated on the land, and the French troops were about to disembark to assist him. But then Lord Howe arrived with his fleet and Count d'Estaing straightway put out to sea to engage him."
"And thrashed 'm——"
"No," replied Marjorie. "A great storm came up and each had to save himself. From the reports Father gave, General Sullivan has been left alone on the island and may be fortunate if he is enabled to withdraw in safety."
"What ails that Count!" exclaimed Jim thoroughly aroused. "I don't think he's much good."
"Now don't git excited," interrupted Nancy. "That's you all th' time. Just wait a bit."
"Just when we want 'im he leaves us. That's no good."
"Any more news, girl?"
"No. Everything is quiet except for the news we received about the regiment of Catholic volunteers that is being recruited in New York."
"In New York? Clinton is there."
"I know it. This is a British regiment."
"I see. Tryin' t' imitate 'The Congress' Own?"
"So it seems."
"And do they think they will git many Cath'lics, or that there 're enough o' them here?"
"I do not know," answered Marjorie. "But some handbills have appeared in the city which came from New York."
"And they want the Cath'lics? What pay are they goin' t' give?"
"Four pounds."
"That's a lot o' money nowadays."
"That is all I know about it. I can't think what success they will have. We are sure of some loyalists, however."
"I guess I'll hev to git down town t' see what's goin' on. Things were quiet fur so long that I stayed pretty well t' home here. What does yur father think?"
"He is angry, of course. But he has said little."
"I never saw anything like it. What'll come next?"
He folded his arms and crossed his knee.
An hour later she stood at the gate taking her leave of Jim and Nancy at the termination of a short but pleasant visit.
"Keep a stout heart," she was saying to Jim, "for better days are coming."
"I know 't, girl. Washington won't fail."
"He is coming here shortly."
"To Philadelphia?" asked Nancy.
"Yes. So he instructed Captain Meagher."
"I hope he removes Arnold."
"Hardly. He is a sincere friend to him. He wishes to see Congress."
"Has he been summon'd?"
"No! Captain Meagher intimated to me that a letter had been sent to His Excellency from the former chaplain of Congress, the Rev. Mr. Duche, complaining that the most respectable characters had withdrawn and were being succeeded by a great majority of illiberal and violent men. He cited the fact that Maryland had sent the Catholic Charles Carroll of Carrollton instead of the Protestant Tilghman."
"Who is this Duche?"
"I do not know. But he has since fled to the British. He warmly counseled the abandonment of Independence."
"If that's his style, he's no good. Will we see the Gin'ral?"
"Perhaps. Then again he may come and go secretly."
"God help the man," breathed Nancy.