“It may be, Harriet, but thee must make up thy mind to endure some little delay. It seldom happens that there are not some rules or regulations to observe, all of which take time. For thy sake we will hope that Clifford’s case will be the exception in such matters. We can do naught to-day about it because of the celebration, but to-morrow thou and I will go to Mr. Joseph Reed, the president of the council, who will advise us about the parole and anent the exchange also.”
“Harriet,” said Peggy suddenly, “does thee remember that when thy brother is exchanged he must return at once to the British lines? Thee had better not be too eager anent the exchange.”
“But I intend to go back with him,” Harriet informed her composedly.
“Thee does?” asked Peggy in surprise. “Why?”
“’Tis so much gayer in New York, Peggy. Don’t you remember the times we had before father made us go South? Beside, I cannot hear at all from father here. As you know, ’tis almost impossible to get letters through the lines to him, and I have had no word since I have been here. I know not whether he is in Camden, where we left him, or with my Lord Cornwallis.”
“But would he wish thee to be there, my child?” questioned Mrs. Owen gravely. “I cannot but think that he would prefer that thee should remain with us until he either comes or sends for thee.”
“He would not mind if I were with Clifford,” returned the girl lightly. “We could have great sport there together. Besides, if I wish it father would not care. If he did I could soon bring him to look at the affair with my eyes. I usually do about as I please; don’t I, Peggy?”
“Yes; but Cousin William did not always approve of thy way,” reminded Peggy. “If thee continues to dwell in the house thy father had ’twill cost greatly, and once he spoke to me about thy extravagance. He said that both thee and thy brother were like to bring him to grief. ’Twas for that reason that he welcomed the idea that I should look after the expense. Does thee not remember?”
“I remember naught but that I wondered that you should prefer housewifery to pleasuring,” answered Harriet gayly. “Father is always complaining about extravagance, but he likes right well for me to appear bravely before his friends. La! when one has position to maintain one must spend money, and no one knows it any better than my father.”
Peggy was silent. Did her cousin wish her brother’s exchange solely that she might return to New York, or was she in truth anxious to be where she could hear from her father? Had she really any natural affection for either, she wondered. Harriet began to laugh at her expression.