United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
A look of surprise came to the face of the Lieutenant as he surveyed
the card in his hand. Jack was prepared for the name he read which was
that of Lionel Clarke.
Franklin wrote some weeks later in a letter to John Irons of Albany:
"When I came out of the physician's office I saw nothing in Jack's face
and manner to suggest the serious proceeding he had entered upon. If I
had, or if some one had dropped a hint to me, I should have done what I
could to prevent this unfortunate affair. He chatted with Sir John a
moment and we went out as if nothing unusual had happened. On the way
to my house we talked of the good weather we were having, of the late
news from America and of my summons to appear before the Privy Council.
He betrayed no sign of the folly which was on foot. I saw him only
once after he helped me into the house and left me to go to his
lodgings. But often I find myself thinking of his handsome face and
heroic figure and gentle voice and hand. He was like a loving son to
me."
2
That evening Solomon arrived with Preston. Solomon gave a whistle of
relief as he entered their lodgings on Bloomsbury Square and dropped
into a chair.
"Wal, sir! We been flyin' eround as brisk as a bee," he remarked. "I
feel as if I had spraint one leg and spavined t'other. The sun was
over the fore yard when we got back, and since then, we went to see the
wild animals, a hip'pottermas, an' lions, an' tigers, an' snakes, an' a
bird with a neck as long as a hoe handle, an' a head like a tommyhawk.
I wouldn't wonder if he could peck some, an' they say he can fetch a
kick that would knock a hoss down. Gosh! I kind o' felt fer my gun!
Gol darn his pictur'! Think o' bein' kicked by a bird an' havin' to be
picked up an' carried off to be mended. We took a long, crooked trail
hum an' walked all the way. It's kind o' hard footin'."
Solomon spoke with the animation of a boy. At last he had found
something in London which had pleased and excited him.
"Did you have a good time at Sir Jeffrey's?" the young man asked.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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