“I am worried about him, Peggy,” she admitted. “He is in truth far from well, and feared an attack of fever when he wrote. He did not like to ask for leave to come home, the need of men is so great; but felt that he must do so did he not get better.”
“How dreadful a thing war is!” sighed Peggy. “The poor fellow! to be ill and weak yet to stay on because of the need the country hath of men. ’Tis heroic, friend nurse.”
“Ah, child, ’tis little a mother cares for heroics when her only son is suffering for lack of care. Sick and starving also, it may be.”
“I have been selfish,” broke from the girl remorsefully. “I have been so full of my woe that I had forgot how our poor soldiers are in want of everything. It hath seemed to me at times that I could not bear to stay down here longer. Thee knows I have not heard from mother at all. I know she must be worried if she hath not heard from me.”
“Your being here is cause for worry,” said the nurse soberly. “Williamsburg is in the path of the armies, though it does seem as though we had been visited enough by them. Would that you were home, Peggy, but I see no way of your getting there. The expresses can scarce get through.”
“Thee said that General Wayne was to join the Marquis,” spoke the girl eagerly. “He is from my own state, friend nurse. I make no doubt but that he would help me could I but reach his lines. And the Marquis——Why, Robert Dale is with the Marquis’ forces! I remember now that Betty told me he had been placed there for valor. Thee sees that I have plenty of friends could I but reach our own lines unmolested.”
“’Tis not to be thought of,” said Nurse Johnson shaking her head decidedly. “No, Peggy; ’tis irksome to stay here under the conditions of things, but I see not how it can be helped. Ah! here is your cousin. How beautiful she is!”
“Where are you going, Peggy?” asked Harriet as she entered the room, her wonderful gray eyes lighting into a smile at Nurse Johnson’s last words.
“I am going to the college to see the museum of natural history, Harriet. Will thee come with me?”
“Not I, Peggy. Such things are too tiresome,” yawned Harriet. “And Clifford won’t go for a ride. He said that he had something to attend to to-day. ’Tis no use to tease Cliff when he makes up his mind. He is worse than father.”