While the merry-making went on at the Cleverings' that last night of his stay at home, Joscelyn sat playing cards with the Singletons, whom she persuaded to remain to tea, making her loneliness her plea. "It passes my understanding," said Eustace, as he slowly shuffled the cards, "how these insurgents can hope to win. Even their so-called congress has had to move twice before the advance of his Majesty's troops. A nation that has two seats of government in two years seems rather shifty on its base." "It must have been a brave sight to see General Howe march into Philadelphia," said Joscelyn. "Methinks I can almost hear the drums beat and see the flags flying in the wind. Would I had been there to cry 'long live the king' with the faithful of the land." But Mary shuddered. "I am content to be no nearer than I am to the battle scenes. The mustering of the Continental company to-day has satisfied my eyes with martial shows." "Call you that a martial show?" her brother laughed derisively. "Why, that was but a shabby make-believe with only half of the men properly uniformed and equipped. Martial show, indeed! Rather was it a gathering of scarecrows. I prophesy that in six months the 'indomitable army of the young Republic,' as the leaders style the undisciplined rabble that follows them, will be again quietly ploughing their fields or looking after other private affairs." "And while you are prophesying you are playing your cards most foolishly, and I am defeating you." "True, you have me fairly with that ace. Let us try it again--'Deprissa resurgit,' as the Continentals say on their worthless paper money." "Joscelyn," said Mary suddenly, "did I tell you that Aunt Ann said in her letter that Cousin Ellen wore a yellow silk to the ball given to welcome General Howe to Philadelphia?" "I do believe you left out that important item," laughed Joscelyn. "Why, how came you to be so remiss, I pray you, sister? The flight of congress from the Quaker city, and its seizure by his Majesty's troops, are but insignificant matters compared to the fact that our cousin wore yellow silk to the general's ball," teased her brother. Whereupon Mary went pouting across the room and sat at the window, calling out to the players at the table the names of those who went in and out of the house of festivity opposite. "Yonder are Mistress Strudwick and Doris Henderson--dear me! I wonder what it feels like to be so stout as Mistress Strudwick? Billy Bryce and his mother are just behind them. I see Janet and Betty through the window. Betty has on that pink brocade with the white lace." "Then I warrant some of those recruits will go to the war already wounded, for in that gown Mistress Betty is sweet enough to break any man's heart." "Eustace, I do believe you are halfway in love with Betty." "Why put it only halfway, my dear? The whole is ever better than a part." "What think you, Joscelyn, is he in earnest? And how does Betty like him?"