“Thee what?” she cried, amazed.
“Never mind about it now, Peggy,” he said drawing her under the shade of a tree. “Sit down and tell me how you came here. Is it the ‘cousins’ again?”
“Yes, ’tis the cousins,” answered the maiden flushing. “I could not do other than come, John. Mother and I did not know that the enemy had invaded the state. At least,” correcting herself quickly, “we did know that General Arnold had made a foray in January, but ’twas deemed by many as but a predatory incursion, and, as we heard no more of it, we thought he had returned to New York. I saw him, and spoke with him, John,” she ended sadly.
“But the cousins, Peggy! The rest can wait until you tell me what new quidnunc tale was invented to lure you here.”
“Thee must not speak so, John,” she reproached him. “Thee will be sorry when I tell thee about Clifford’s illness. He was nigh to death, in truth, but ’twas not for me he sent, but his own sister Harriet.” Forthwith she related all the occurrences that had led to her coming. Drayton listened attentively.
“I wish that you and your mother were not so kind hearted,” he remarked when she had finished her narrative. “No, I don’t mean that exactly. I could not, after all that you did for me. But from the bottom of my heart I do wish that those relatives of yours would go back to England and stay there. They are continually getting you into trouble.”
“Would thee have us refuse my kinsman’s plea?” she asked him. “’Twould have been inhuman not to respond to such an appeal.”
“I suppose it would,” he replied grumblingly. “But I don’t like it one bit that you are here among all the movements of the two armies. See here, Peggy! The thing to do is to get you home, and I’m going to take you there.”
“Will thee, John?” cried Peggy in delight. “How good thee is! Oh, ’tis a way opened at last. But won’t it cause thee a great deal of trouble?”
“So much, my little cousin, that we will not permit him to undertake it,” spoke the wrathful tones of her cousin. “I am sorry to interrupt so interesting a conversation, but ’tis necessary to explain to this,—well, gentleman, that ’tis not at all necessary for him to trouble concerning your welfare. I am amply able to care for you.”