To such an entertainment Berinthia Brandon desired Robert’s company. The barber on the corner of the street trimmed and powdered his hair, Mark Antony smoothed the wrinkles from his coat, and Berinthia fixed new ribbons in his knee-buckles.
“I am afraid I shall be so stiff and awkward you will be ashamed of me,” he said, as she adjusted his ruffles.
“Oh no, I am sure your common sense will come to your aid.”
“I shall not know anybody, and shall feel like a cat in a strange garret.”
“But I will introduce you to some charming people.”
“I shall make a fool of myself. I have never been in such society, and shall not know what to talk about. If it was like a quilting, such as we have at Rumford, I might get on, but I know I shall be the laughing-stock of the ladies.”
“I am not afraid of it. Just be yourself, that’s all.”
The clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse was striking three when they passed it on their way to the Newville mansion.
“You will find Mr. Newville a courtly, well-informed gentleman,” said Berinthia. “Perhaps I ought to tell you that he is a Tory, which is quite natural, when we consider that he holds an office under the crown. He is very discreet, however, and is careful not to say or do anything offensive to the Sons of Liberty. Of course, political questions are not mentioned at these enjoyable gatherings. We say nothing about the Stamp Act: give all like topics the go-by, and just enjoy ourselves socially. You will find Mrs. Newville a delightful lady, and I know you will be charmed by Miss Ruth, a lovely girl, with gracious ways and a character all her own. I cannot describe her. Only intimate friends can know her goodness. Few young ladies in Boston are more accomplished. Master Lovell[26] is her tutor, visiting her after school hours, to direct her course of study. She has been through the arithmetic, while most of us never have been beyond proportion. Having finished the accidence she has begun Latin; she can tambour, make embroidery, draw, paint, play the harpsichord, and sing so charmingly that people passing along the street stop to listen to the enchanting music.”