Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times: 1769 - 1776 A Historical RomanceCoffin, Charles Carleton
History
Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times: 1769 - 1776 A Historical Romance
Coffin, Charles Carleton
Historical fiction; Massachusetts -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
"Mr. Walden, allow me to introduce my daughter," said Mrs. Newville.
There was a startled, wondering look in the hazel eyes. She
courtesied, with the fresh blood suffusing her cheeks.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Walden," she said.
"I took the liberty of bringing him," said Berinthia. "I was sure you
would extend to him the same cordial welcome you give to everybody."
"Certainly, anybody whom you may invite will always be welcome. Mr.
Walden, shall I serve you with a cup of tea? What kind will you
take--shall it be Old Hyson, Bohea, or Twankey?"
She stood with a salver ready to serve him.
"I will take Old Hyson, if you please," he said.
The pink slippers tripped across the lawn to a table where Phillis in
white apron and cap, with smiling countenance, was pouring tea from
silver urns into dainty cups. So this was the young lady whom he had
rescued from the clutches of the villains. What should he say to her?
By no word or look must she know that he was conscious of having
befriended her.
The sun was shining through the branches of the melocotoon tree
beneath which she was standing. It seemed to him that the rich bloom
of the ripening fruit by some subtle process of nature was being
transmuted to her face. He recalled the description of the
pure-hearted damsel that welcomed the Pilgrim of Bunyan's allegory to
the beautiful palace in the land of Beulah. She soon returned bringing
with steady hand the salver with the tea, sugar-bowl, and pitcher of
cream.
"Shall I serve you with the sugar and cream, Mr. Walden?"
He could but notice the graceful movement of her deft fingers as she
picked the sugar from the bowl with the silver tongs, and poured the
cream.
"I will bring you some confections," she said, and tripped away once
more, returning with a plate of cake and bonbons.
"I hope you find the tea to your taste?" she said.
"It could not be better," he replied.
He could see she was scanning his face with an inquiring look, as if
endeavoring to solve a perplexing question--whether the stranger in
working clothes who rescued her from the arms of the assaulting
soldiers and this gentleman in fitting costume for genteel society
were one and the same. "Can it be he?" was the question revolving in
her thoughts. The countryman was tall, stout, and broad-shouldered; so
was Mr. Walden. She saw resolution and indignation in the face of the
stranger. Could not the face before her exhibit like qualities under
like provocation? She must find out during the afternoon, if possible,
whether or not Mr. Walden was her benefactor. If so, what should she
say to him--how make known her gratitude?
"And so you are from New Hampshire, Mr. Walden?" she said inquiringly.
"Yes, and this is my first visit to Boston."
"I dare say you find things somewhat different here from what they are
there."
"Oh yes. In Rumford the houses are scattered; but here they are as
thick as spatter. There isn't near so many things going on there as
here."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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