Admiral Vernon glanced at him keenly as he shook hands with him.
“My brother has just returned from a visit to the Earl of Fairfax, at Greenway Court, my father’s relative”—for Mrs. Washington had been Anne Fairfax, of Belvoir. “The earl has been most kind to him, and honored him by giving him the sword which he wore at the siege of Bouchain.”
“I believe he entered the town,” said Admiral Vernon. “I have often heard of the adventure, and it was most daring.”
“Why have you not the sword on, George?” asked his sister.
“Because—because—” George stammered, and then became hopelessly embarrassed.
“Because he is a modest young gentleman,” said the admiral, smiling.
George was introduced to many other persons, all older than himself; but presently he recognized William Fairfax, a cousin of his sister’s, who had been at Mount Vernon with him the Christmas before. William was a merry youngster, a year or two older than George, but a foot or two shorter. The two boys gravitated together, and as young gentlemen in those days were expected to be very retiring, they took their places in a corner, and when supper was announced they made up the very tail of the procession towards the dining-room. At supper the three young people—George and Betty and William Fairfax—sat together. The conversation was gay and sprightly until the ladies left, when it grew more serious.
“Close up, gentlemen, close up!” cried Laurence Washington, cordially, motioning them to take the seats left vacant by the ladies. George and William Fairfax rose to leave the room then, as boys were not expected to remain on those occasions, but Laurence stopped them.
“Stay, George and William, you are both old enough now to be company for men; and especially I desire an account from you, George, of how affairs are progressing at Greenway Court. I hear my Lord Fairfax had to repel an attack from the Indians within the last month. That, admiral,” he continued, turning to Admiral Vernon, “is one of the pleasures which Lord Fairfax exchanged for a residence in England.”
“How does he stand it, Mr. Washington?” asked Admiral Vernon. “Does he remain in his eyrie among the mountains because he is too proud to acknowledge his loneliness?”