“Why, ’tis Mistress Peggy!” exclaimed the young fellow, sitting up quickly, a deep flush dyeing his face. “How, how did you get here?”
“I am trying to get home,” she told him. “I left Williamsburg yesterday morning, and hoped to reach Fredericksburg to-night, but our good friend here tells me that the British are at Hanover Court House. I am to bide with her until they pass on.”
“That is best,” he said. “’Twas but an advance force on a reconnoitering expedition that passed this morning. The rest will be along later. You should not be here at all.”
“I know,” replied Peggy, surprised by this speech from Fairfax. It was the longest he had ever made her. “Or rather I didn’t know, Friend Fairfax, else I would not be here. And how does thee do? I am to help care for thee.”
“You!” again the red blood flushed the lad’s cheek and brow. “Why, why, I’m all right. A little rest is all I need.”
“I shall care for thee none the less,” answered the maiden demurely, the feeling of amusement which she always felt at his shyness assailing her now.
“And here is cool milk and toast with sweet butter and jam,” spoke the hostess. “Boys all like jam, so I brought that for a tid-bit. With the eggs it should make a fairish meal. Now, my lad, I’ll leave you to the mercy of your young friend while I run down to see about things. It is pleasant for you to know each other. Come down when you like, my dear,” she added turning to Peggy as she left the room.
“Oh!” uttered Fairfax in such evident dismay that Peggy found it impossible to suppress the ripple of laughter that rose to her lips.
“I shall tell thee all about thy mother while thee eats,” she said arranging the viands before him temptingly. “Thy mother is worried anent thee, friend, but she herself is well. She——”
“Listen,” he said abruptly.