Robert replied that he intended to visit his relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Brandon, on Copp’s Hill.
“Oh yes, my friend the shipbuilder—a very worthy gentleman, and his wife an estimable lady. They have an energetic and noble daughter and a promising son. I have an engagement to-night, another to-morrow, but shall be at home to-morrow evening, and I would like to have you and your young friends take supper with us. I will tell you something that your father would like to know.”
Robert thanked him, and took his departure. Thinking that Doctor Warren probably would be visiting his patients at that hour of the day, he drove to the Green Dragon, and put Jenny in her stall, and after dinner made his way to the goldsmith’s shop to find a present for Rachel.
Mr. Paul Revere, who had gold beads, brooches, silver spoons, shoe and knee buckles, clocks, and a great variety of articles for sale, was sitting on a bench engraving a copper plate. He laid down his graving-tool and came to the counter. Robert saw he had a benevolent face; that he was hale and hearty.
“I would like to look at what you have that is pretty for a girl of eighteen,” said Robert.
Mr. Revere smiled as if he understood that the young man before him wanted something that would delight his sweetheart.
“I want it for my sister,” Robert added.
Mr. Revere smiled again as he took a bag filled with gold beads from the showcase.
“I think you cannot find anything prettier for your sister than a string of beads,” he said. “Women and girls like them better than anything else. They are always in fashion. You will not make any mistake, I am sure, in selecting them.”
He held up several strings to the light, that Robert might see how beautiful they were.