"It's all right, mother. It means no more danger than I'd have to encounter with the regular army, or than I have already faced in the militia at home." "It may be," she answered, but her eyes were troubled. "It may be." "It waxes late," exclaimed Mrs. Ashley glancing at Sally whose eyelids were drooping in spite of herself. "These girls, at least, are ready for bed; and to bed they must go." And without heeding their protests the good woman hurried them up to a little room under the eaves, nor would she depart until they were tucked warmly in the great feather-bed. Sally's drowsiness left her as soon as she found herself alone with Peggy. "Peggy," she whispered, snuggling close to her friend, "what does thee think of it all?" "'Tis like the Carolinas and Virginia were," returned Peggy soberly. "Oh, Sally! is it not awful that men should so hunt and hound each other? The poor people of the states have stood so much that 'tis marvelous that any are left for resistance. Nurse Johnson whispered to me that she should not feel easy until we were back in Philadelphia." "Would that we were," said Sally earnestly. "Peggy!" "Yes, Sally." "I was afraid this afternoon when the robbers attacked us. What if I were to be fearful all the time?" "We must not be, Sally," spoke Peggy quickly. "'Twould wherrit these kind friends if we were to show fear. They will take excellent care of us, and take us home soon, I make no doubt." "Isn't thee ever afraid, Peggy?" "Why, yes; of course," answered Peggy. "Every one is, I think. But mother told me once never to anticipate trouble, and so I try not to think about what might happen. We must be bright and cheerful whatever occurs. It should be easy for thee, Sally. Thee is always happy in the hospital." "That is because I have something to do," responded Sally sagely. "If one is so busy that one has no time to think one can't be afraid." "I make no doubt then thee will soon have plenty to occupy thee when Fairfax joins his company, Sally." Sally laughed as Peggy had intended she should. "I like Fairfax," she said with emphasis. "But didst notice, Peggy? He spoke not once to either of us after we entered the house. Truly, his diffidence doth envelop him like a mantle; yet, when those robbers were giving us chase, he had no difficulty in telling us just what to do. Indeed, he was then as much at ease in speaking to us as thy father or Robert would have been." "Then he was doing 'man's duty,'" laughed Peggy. "'Tis marvelous how an emergency doth make him shed his shyness." "I like him," repeated Sally. "In very truth, Peggy Owen, doth thee not consider him the very nicest lad that we know?" "And yet," observed Peggy meditatively, addressing the darkness, "methinks there was a girl, not a hundred miles from this very bed, who told me that she agreed with my Cousin Harriet that Clifford excelled all other youths."