Mrs. De Peyster nodded.
"Ever heard of the American Historical Society's collection of recently discovered letters of a gentleman named Thomas Jefferson?"
Mrs. De Peyster started.
"Yes."
"And perhaps you have heard that authorities now agree that said Thomas Jefferson was dead almost a hundred years when said letters were penned; and that he must have been favored with the assistance of an amanuensis of, so to say, the present generation?"
"Yes."
"That being the case you may have heard of one Thomas Preston, alleged to be said amanuensis?"
"Yes."
He put his hand across his clerical vest, and bowed first to Mrs. De Peyster, then to Matilda.
"It gives Mr. Preston very great pleasure to meet you, ladies. Only for the present he humbly petitions to be known as Mr. Pyecroft."