"Oh, only a few weeks, at the most," said Phripps, breaking into the conversation.
"Yes, about that time," continued Harrison, "but you know how fanatical such men as Bullet and Bullbeggor are. It's really absurd how much influence that beggar, Patrick Henry, has over such ignorant men. The man has about as much logic in his discourse as a nigger has in his, but he sways his followers any way he wishes, and is gaining recruits every day. I suppose you know how illiterate the fellow is?"
"And how rough and ill-bred," said Miss Carter.
"An ill-favored rogue and no mistake," said Phripps.
"Odious men—vulgar ruffians, all of them," said Miss Carter and Mary together.
"So you say!" murmured Barron, pleasantly.
"And their followers are a pack of unhung thieves," added Harrison fiercely. "No house is safe while they roam the outlying counties"——
"Mercy!" quietly interrupted my mother, who felt very kindly toward the revolutionists, "One would actually suppose, Mr. Harrison, that you were quite unfriendly with the whole party."
And when she finished speaking I could see Harrison's eyes fairly blaze with anger. He was very quiet, however, for some moments, and then adding that it would be well to be packed and ready to embark with Lord Dunmore when he arrived, he turned to my sister and talked of other matters.