When he rode in state to Independence Hall in his cream-coloured coach drawn by six bays, and with postilions and outriders, boys were always at hand to cheer as he drove by. And when he returned to Mount Vernon, there were other boys waiting to welcome him. He could always count on boys, wherever he went, to shout and wave their hats. He used to touch his own hat to them as politely as if they were veterans on parade. After his great dinners at Mount Vernon, as soon as the guests were done eating, he would tell his steward to call in the neighbours’ boys, who were never far away at such a time. In they would come, crowding around the table, and make quick work of the cakes, nuts, and raisins the guests had left. At twilight, Washington had a habit of pacing up and down the large room on the first floor with his hands behind him. One evening, a boy who had never seen him, climbed up to a high open window to look in at him. The boy fell and hurt himself. Washington heard him cry, and sent a servant to see what was the matter. The servant came back and said, “The boy was trying to get a look at you, sir.” “Bring him in,” said Washington. And when the boy came in, he patted him on the head, saying:-- “You wanted to see General Washington, did you? Well, I am General Washington.” But the little fellow shook his head, and replied:-- “No, you are only just a man. I want to see the President.” Washington laughed, and told him that he was _the President_ and a _man_ for all that. Then he had the servant give him some cakes and nuts, and sent him away happy. _Grace Greenwood and Other Sources_ (_Retold_) THE LITTLE GIRL AND THE RED COATS When Washington with the Army entered Boston after the British had evacuated the city, he made the best tavern in town his Headquarters. It had been the British Headquarters. The tavern-keeper’s little girl was running about very much interested in all that was going on. Washington called her to him, and holding her on his knee, asked:-- “Now that you have seen the soldiers on both sides, which do you like best?” The little girl hesitated, but like the great Washington himself, she could not tell a lie, so she said:-- “I like the Red Coats best.” Washington laughed at her frankness, and said gently:-- “Yes, my dear, the Red Coats do look the best, but it takes the ragged boys to do the fighting.” _Wayne Whipple_ (_Retold_) NELLIE AND LITTLE WASHINGTON George Washington loved children, and, as he had none of his own, he adopted two of his wife’s grandchildren, Nellie Custis and George Washington Parke Custis. The little boy was known as “Washington.” Nellie was a beautiful child with smiling black eyes and thick curly brown hair; while her brother was of very light complexion.