Another week passed in what to Enoch seemed like idleness, and then Greene electrified him by announcing:
"Within a few days we shall see stirring times, and you will have no further cause to complain that you are doing nothing."
"What have you heard?"
"Nothing; but I have noticed that preparations are being quietly made for a general move—"
"I can't see that there has been any change."
"Nothing to particularly attract attention, I'll admit; yet it is a fact that the troops are nearly ready to evacuate the city, or make a forced march to Valley Forge for the purpose of attacking our camp."
"Is it possible General Clinton would do that?"
"It is possible, but not probable. My idea is that the Britishers will leave this city bag and baggage before we're many days older."
"I don't understand why they should."
"It is feared by the enemy that General Washington may strike a blow at New York, and Clinton's troops are needed there to prevent a possible disaster. Then again they are accomplishing nothing here, and the British government don't relish the idea of paying twelve or fifteen thousand men for holding a town which is of no real benefit, save as a loafing-place for the officers."