“It is, sir.”
“And have you no respect for your king, or love for your family and friends?”
“For the former, none whatever, but for the latter a great deal of love and respect.”
“Well, then, how can you go to work deliberately and bring this disgrace upon them? Why, Sherwood, it is absurd to think of doing such a thing!” and Lear began to grow angry.
“If it is absurd to lend one’s aid to a righteous cause, then I am willing to be called absurd or rash, but I am determined to do this.”
“But, do you have faith in this war? Do you believe these colonists will ever overcome King George?”
“Most assuredly they will!” replied Edgar Sherwood. “Why, sir, they fight like tigers, and they never will remain conquered. What arouses these men to arms is the love of liberty, their firesides, their wives and children.”
“Very well; perhaps they are good at fighting, but, where is the money coming from to maintain this war any longer? Congress has none.”
“They will fight without pay; and, moreover, each soldier will contribute his mite.”
“Nevertheless, they are but a handful at best, and can not hold out much longer.”