"I thought that you liked her society."
"So I do, colonel, when I can see her, but Col. Arnold has kept her pretty close in the room which was assigned her."
It was the end of May, and Ethan Allen was waiting news from Boston.
News had just reached him that the Continental Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, had drawn up articles of confederation, and that those articles had been signed by the representatives of thirteen colonies.
And the news also came that on the same day the people of North Carolina had held a convention at Charlotte and declared themselves independent of the British crown, and that they had organized a local government and pledged themselves to raise and equip an army.
This was pleasing news, but Allen wanted to hear more from Boston.
The information conveyed to him by Eben was disquieting.
Was it possible that Benedict Arnold was taking things into his own hands and acting without consulting him?
He sent for Arnold.
"Well, sir, you wished to see me?"