“Of course. Didn’t Peggy tell you how the Most Honorable Council of the revolted colony of Pennsylvania,” and Harriet’s voice grew sarcastic, “banished me to that city because I tried to get a letter to Sir Henry Clinton concerning your exchange? It hath afforded much amusement at the dinners when I would take off Mr. Reed’s solemn manner. ’Tis strange that Peggy did not tell you.”
“She did,” he replied, and turning he looked at Peggy as though seeing her for the first time. A gaze that embraced the gray gown that clung close to her slender figure; the snowy whiteness of her apron, the full fichu fastened firmly about the round girlish throat; and the simple cap of fine muslin that rested upon her dark tresses. “She did,” he repeated, and paused expectantly as though for her to speak.
But she made no comment. It was enough that she was vindicated at last. It had hurt Peggy that her cousin should doubt her word, and now her sole feeling was one of content that he should know that she had indeed spoken naught but truth.
“Then if Peggy told you that I was sent there I see not why you should ask if I came from there,” spoke Harriet in perplexity. “Clifford, have you seen father?”
“No,” his face clouding. “I dread meeting him, Harriet. You know that he left you and the home in my charge. Had I known that you would not remain I would never have left you. And why did you not stay there, my sister?”
“Alone, Clifford? Did you not know me better than that? Know then, brother mine, that if you can serve your country, Mistress Harriet Owen can also. Oh, I have seen service, sir. I was a spy in the rebel headquarters at Middlebrook, in the Jerseys, for nearly a whole winter.”
“You, Harriet! A spy?” he cried aghast. “Not you, Harriet?”
“Don’t get wrought up, Cliff. Father knew it, and consented. We were well paid for it. Didn’t Peggy tell you about it?” Harriet turned a smiling countenance upon Peggy. “She knew all about it. I stayed with our cousins while there.”
“I think there is much that Cousin Peggy hath not told me,” he remarked, and again he looked at the girl with a curious intent glance. Peggy felt her color rise under his searching gaze. “I will depend upon you for enlightenment as to several things.”
The shadows lengthened and crept close to the little group under the trees. Fireflies sparkled in the dusk of the twilight. A large white moth sailed out of the obscurity toward the lights which had begun to glimmer in the hospital windows. An owl hooted in a near-by walnut tree. Peggy rose suddenly.