“Peggy, Peggy,” called several voices after her, but the girl laughed at them and disappeared among the bushes.
“The British won’t hurt me,” she reassured herself as she came in sight of the dwelling. “I am just a girl, and can do them no harm. I’m just going to have that Bible for grandma. ’Tis a small thing to do for her when she hath been so good to me.”
And so saying, she stepped out from the bushes where she had paused for a moment, and marched boldly up to the commander in the doorway.
“Sir,” she said, sweeping him a fine curtsey, “I wish thee good-day.”
“Well, upon my life, what have we here?” exclaimed he, astounded at this sudden apparition.
“If thee pleases, good sir, I live here,” returned Peggy.
“And I do please,” he cried. “Come in, mistress. Your pardon, but we have made somewhat free with the premises, but if it so be that you are a loyal subject of King George, you shall have ample recompense for whatever we take.”
“I thank thee,” she said, ignoring the question of loyalty. “I will enter, if I may. Grandma wishes her Bible, and that, sir, can surely be given her?”
“Of a truth,” he cried, stepping aside for her to pass. “’Tis a small request to refuse such beauty. Take the Bible and welcome, my fair Quakeress.”
“I thank thee,” spoke the girl, with quaint dignity. Sedately she passed into the dwelling and went directly to Mistress Sevier’s chamber, where the Bible lay on a small table. Clasping it close, Peggy again went through the living-room, where the astonished officers awaited her coming curiously.