Behind them there was a rustle all over the school. Murmurs rose, and some of the boys, including Hugh and Jack, stood up. The master faced the crowd of children for an instant, his eyes glittering.
“I will take this to your parents,” he said presently, looking icily around the room. Motioning to the girls, he added, “Sit down.”
Silently they returned to their places, though their hearts beat hard for some time. The hour dragged along, and at last the master rose, dismissing the school. In a moment every one was outside, crowding round the newcomers.
“You’ll catch it yet,” they said. “Wait till he’s had time to think over what to do.”
“Come along,” said Darthea. Hugh and Jack had quickly joined them, and off they went to Hugh’s big, comfortable house in the midst of its orchards and gardens. At the garden gate they were met by Mrs. Wynne, lovely in her Quaker dress, her eyes as blue as lakes, and a smile on the merriest mouth in the world.
“So here you are, the little friends of this boy of mine,” she cried. “And I have a bite or two of good things out in the garden for you. How went it at school to-day?”
They all told her at once, and she was much interested. “Brave words,” she said, “and brave behaviour too. And now let us forget all about this unkind Dove, who has the heart of a hawk, methinks.”
As they went into the garden, where under a sort of summer-house was set a table looking most hospitably loaded, she told them that Hugh’s father was at a friend’s house talking over the troubles between the Colonies and England.
“Colonel Washington and his lady are in town, up from Virginia on a visit, and the Colonel is pressing for some decisive action, so I heard your father say, Hugh. Naturally he is not too pleased at this, being a man of peace.”
“George Washington near here!” It was Rose who ejaculated these words, while Ruth stood rooted, her eyes fairly bulging.