"I'm afraid you would hardly understand, Papa's darling," the Captain said, stroking the soft, shining, golden curls as he spoke, and smiling down into the bright, eager little face.
"I think I should, Papa. Wasn't it something 'bout a tea-party?" she asked coaxingly.
"Yes, Papa, please do tell the story; we'd all like to hear it over again now when we're just at the place where it happened," added Gracie.
"Well, my darlings, to please you," he said; "also because I want you to be thoroughly grounded in the history of your own country.
"You must remember that these States,—or rather the original thirteen, there were only so many at that time,—were then called colonies, and were ruled by England. The English Government claimed the right to tax the colonies just as they pleased. That right the people of the colonies denied.
"They were not allowed to send any members to Parliament to help decide who in America should be taxed and how much; so they determined that rather than pay a tax put upon the article without their knowledge and consent, they would do without tea.
"Then the English Government tried to force it on them; and these ships came into their harbour loaded with the tea, which they intended to land.
"One of those tea-laden ships, called the 'Dartmouth,'—Captain Hall in command,—came to anchor yonder, near the Castle, as it was then called. It was on Sunday the 'Dartmouth' came in; and as you may suppose, the sight of her caused a great excitement in Boston.
"Early on Monday morning a placard was posted all over the town. I committed it to memory when a school-boy. It said:—