“I have urgent reasons,” replied Nat. Then seeing his cousin’s reproachful look, he added, laughingly, “Well, I suppose I’ll have to tell you about it; but you will have to promise not to say anything to any one—not even Ezra.”
Ben looked at Nat challengingly.
“I say,” said he, “what’s the matter with Ezra? Somehow or other you don’t take to him very well.”
“He’s said something to you, has he?” said Nat.
“He’s said nothing,” replied Ben warmly. “But I’ve got eyes and I can see as well as the next.”
Nat was silent for a moment. He could tell Ben nothing of that particular affair because Dr. Warren had asked both himself and Revere to keep silent.
“I’ll say nothing about your ideas regarding Ezra and me,” said he, at last. “But I will say, under promise that you tell no one, that I remain in Boston to carry out some work required of me by Dr. Warren.”
Now there was no more ardent patriot among them all than good-natured Ben Cooper. So upon hearing his cousin’s words he at once gave up all expectation of his accompanying them south.
“Very well,” said he. “If that’s the case, I suppose I’ll have to leave you here. But the Porcupine will go back with me, of course.”
“No,” said Nat. “I rather think he wants to remain. But,” turning to the dwarf who sat near him, “speak for yourself.”