“Has it come to that? Then we may look for anything. I am sure Brother William would want to have us go to Uncle Tom’s.”
They found Betty quite willing to follow Mr. Clinton’s advice; therefore, taking the baby and three of the servants, they hastened over to Sylvia’s Ramble, to find Mrs. Hopkins somewhat nervous, but outwardly determined, while Rhoda was quietly alert, and not the least discomposed, to all appearances.
Lettice, eager and anxious, was at times so preoccupied that she scarcely heeded what Robert said to her. Once she turned on him fiercely. “If we are raided upon here, shall you fight for or against us?” she asked. “Let us know what to expect.”
“Lettice!” he exclaimed. “How can you ask such a question? I will defend you to the last drop of blood, but I hope there will arise no such emergency.”
Lettice gave him a lovely smile. “I almost wish there would,” she said.
“Why such a wish?”
“Because you would then have an opportunity of proving yourself a true American.”
He bit his lip and made no reply for a moment; then he said, “I think there is no one, whatever his views, who would not be ready to defend those he loves, should they be in danger, but I think we have no cause for alarm; non-combatants will be shown every courtesy, I am sure.”
“By whom? That pirate, that thief, that marauder, Cockburn?”
“Sh!” exclaimed Mrs. Tom Hopkins, hearing the words. “Even walls have ears. We must be discreet, Lettice.”