MRS. A. We women can assist our men, if it comes to a war against injustice! JUDGE (_laughing_). Ladies, ladies! Such ardent patriots, and yet drinking tea! MRS. A. (_firmly_). If war is coming and our men must fight, I, too, can make some sacrifice. I will give up tea and all taxed articles. MRS. S. And I! MRS. C. I, too! Come, Miss Boltwood, join our league. It shall be named from your house where ’twas born, “The Boltwood Band.” Come, now. MISS B. Nay, I am no patriot. ALL. Come, come; no denial. (_They join hands and place hers in theirs._) MRS. C. This shall be our oath: “We swear to give up tea and all taxed articles till the war be over.” Now, in unison. ALL (_including_ MISS B.). We swear to give up tea and all taxed articles till the war be over. (JUDGE _looks on amused_.) JUDGE (_rising_). Well, ladies, now that you are all committed to raspberry leaves and linsey-woolsey, I will go. (_There is the sound of a galloping horse, then excited voices of men. All rise and go to the window._) ’Tis an express. Look you, his horse is smoking! There must be news from Boston. I will go and learn it, then report to you. [_Exit._ MRS. A. Oh, I pray there has been no bloodshed! MRS. S. If blood has been shed, let us hope ’twas British! (MANDY _rushes in from_ L., _greatly excited. She looks over the shoulders of the ladies at the window._) MISS B. (_sharply_). Mandy! Get you to the kitchen! [_Exit_ MANDY, _at_ L. _Enter_ JUDGE, _at_ R. _He looks very grave._ JUDGE. ’Tis as I feared. The rash minutemen have fired on the king’s troops and war has begun. Day before yesterday there was a fight at Lexington and Concord---- MRS. S. Tell us, man! Who was victorious? JUDGE. The rebels stood their ground, ’tis reported, and the king’s troops retreated, but not because of defeat---- MRS. C. Did the Regulars retreat to Boston? JUDGE. Yes, and I fear it was a rout at the last. Owing to the firing of the rebels from behind walls and trees, the British became panic-stricken. MRS. S. (_excitedly_). Hurroo for our brave men! ’Tis glorious that they routed the trained troops! MISS B. But why did the fighting begin out at Lexington, Stephen? ’Tis a good ten miles from Boston. JUDGE. General Gage was hoping to destroy the ammunition at Concord. In some way his plan was learned, and Paul Revere, the goldsmith, rode all night warning the countryside. When the Regulars came, the minutemen were ready. MRS. A. (_compassionately_). Did many men fall? JUDGE. ’Tis reported a hundred minutemen and nearly three hundred of the king’s troops. MRS. S. Well, thanks for that! Each minuteman, it seems, convoyed three Britishers with him out of existence! MRS. A. My dear Mrs. Strong! Feel you no pity? JUDGE (_listening_). The Hartfield minutemen are summoned to assemble at once at Clapp’s Tavern. Methinks I hear the drums. MRS. C. I must needs return home with the news, Miss Boltwood. I thank you for a very elegant tea.