“Come, sir,” said the general. “Wilt ask thy life of me?”
“No. And be damned to you!”
“You see, Jane.”
“I care not what he says; you shall let him go free.”
“Are ye all mad?” fumed the commissary.
“He ever had the art of getting the women on his side, Clowes,” laughed Sir William, good-naturedly. “How the dear creatures love a man of fire! Look you, boy, with such a friend as Mrs. Loring—to say nothing of others—no limit can be set to your advancement, if you will but put foolish pride in your pocket, and throw in your lot with us.”
“I’d sooner starve with Washington than feast with you.”
“That ’s easily done!” remarked Loring, jeeringly.
“Not so easily as in your prisons,” retorted Jack.
“Don’t be foolish and stick to your tantrums, lad,” persuaded Howe.