“Cornwallis in Trenton! Surely you are mistaken,” he said. “Why, General Washington is there.”
“He was there,” corrected Ben, “but now he is at Morristown.”
“There has been a battle!” cried the girl. “And we have been defeated.”
The old man tried to rise out of the chair but fell back.
“No, no,” he said. “That cannot be. If there was a battle, we were victorious!”
“In that you are right,” said Ben.
Thereupon, he related what had happened; the three listened breathless; and when he had done, they were filled with delight.
“Oh, it’s glorious!” cried the girl, her face flushed, her eyes shining.
“Now, will the Hessians murder honest people in their beds!” said the landlady, her chin up and her arms akimbo. “We’ll match them yet, never fear.”
The old gentleman reached out until his hand rested upon the boy’s sleeve.