Although society was divided politically, neighbors still were friends, accepting and giving hospitality, and when meeting socially avoiding all allusion to the proposed bill for taxing the Colonies. All hoped that nothing would be done by Parliament to interrupt friendly relations between the Colonies and the mother country. Doctor Warren made himself agreeable to bluff Admiral Montague. William Molineux cracked jokes with Colonel Dalrymple. Richard Dana and Nathaniel Coffin were friendly neighbors. Mr. Dana could look out from his front windows near Frog Lane,[34] and see the spacious grounds of his neighbor Coffin’s “Fields,” as the boys who played ball called it. There was no reason why they should be at odds socially, just because Lord North and the king proposed to levy a tax of three pence a pound on tea.
With story and jest the company enjoyed the banquet and then were rowed to the shore, all shaking hands with Berinthia and congratulating her upon the successful launching of the vessel bearing her name.
“What can we do to round out the day for you, dear?”
It was Miss Newville addressing Berinthia.
“I don’t know; what can we?” was the reply.
“How would you like a sleigh-ride?” Robert asked.
“Delightful!” exclaimed Miss Newville.
“Jenny and the colt are rested, and if you don’t mind riding in a pung, I shall be pleased to take a little spin out of town.”
“Oh, it will be so charming! I would rather go in a pung than in a sleigh; it is more romantic,” Miss Newville said.
It was quickly arranged. Robert went to the Green Dragon, put new straw in the pung, and was soon back with the team. They were eight in number and quickly seated themselves. It was natural that Berinthia and Abraham Duncan, who had put his heart into his work while carving her features, should sit side by side, and that Tom Brandon and Mary Shrimpton should desire to be tucked under the same bearskin. It was a pleasure to Roger Stanley to ask Miss Walden to keep him company.