"Will ye enter, friends?" she asked courteously. "'Tis a fearful storm!" "That it is, Peggy. We are mighty glad to reach shelter. Come, Fairfax! I told you that we should be welcome." "Nurse Johnson," shrilled the girl in delight. "Why, come right in. Welcome? Of course thee is welcome. And thou also, Friend Fairfax. Why, we were speaking of thee but now. Mother, 'tis Friend Nurse, from Virginia." "Come in, Friend Johnson," spoke Mrs. Owen warmly, coming in haste from the sitting-room. "Thee must be cold. 'Tis dreadful weather. Let me help thee with thy wraps." "I was getting pretty cold," acknowledged Nurse Johnson. "We were on our way to the Jerseys, where my sister hath taken a farm. We thought to get to Burlington to-night, but the storm made traveling so difficult that I told Fairfax that I made no doubt you would put us up until 'twas over." "'Twill give us great pleasure, Friend Nurse--I should say, Friend Johnson," answered Mistress Owen graciously. "We have heard Peggy talk of thee so much that we have fallen into her way of speaking of thee." "Continue so to call me, Mrs. Owen. I like it," declared Nurse Johnson heartily. "Peggy, see thou to the dishing up of the dinner, while I attend our friends," spoke her mother. "We were just on the point of taking it up when ye came," she explained. "Hot pepper-pot will warm ye better than anything." "Isn't that our Silent Knight?" queried Betty, in a shrill whisper as Peggy was passing through the room. "Yes, Betty. Shall I place him by thee at table?" "See how she is priming for conquest," remarked Sally as Betty, nodding acquiescence, began unconsciously to smooth her hair. "She must tell us every word he says; must she not, Robert?" "Of a verity," smiled the young man, his amusement plainly visible. "I think thee has met with every one, Friend Nurse," observed Mrs. Owen entering at this moment with the new arrivals. "David ye know, of course. Sally and Betty ye met last year. Robert? No; ye do not know him. Robert Dale, of the army, Nurse Johnson. And this is Fairfax, her son, Robert. Ye should be good friends, as ye have both fought for the country." "Thou hast forgot to give Robert his rank, Lowry," spoke Mr. Owen as the young men shook hands. "Friend Johnson, have this chair. Thou wilt find it easy and quite comfortable." "Thy pardon, Robert," exclaimed Mrs. Owen. "I do not always remember that thou art Major Dale." "I do not always remember it myself, madam," returned the youth modestly. "And I wish to be Robert to you always." "How these children grow!" exclaimed Nurse Johnson sinking into the easy chair with a sigh of content. "It hardly seems possible that Fairfax is more than a boy; yet here he is a captain in the army." "A captain?" ejaculated Peggy in surprise.