"Peggy," called Nurse Johnson a half hour later, "come down-stairs a moment. There is some one here who knows you. Bring Sally too." Peggy sprang up quickly. "Come, Sally," she cried. "I have a feeling that----" "So have I," exclaimed Sally breathlessly. "Let's run, Peggy." "Bless my soul, Miss Peggy," ejaculated the doughty governor, as the girls entered the kitchen. "Who would have thought to find you here? And this is your friend, Miss Sally, eh?" "I am glad to see thee, sir," said Peggy warmly. "And how are thy wife and daughters?" "Well, I thank you. They are with me at Trenton. By the way, Mistress Johnson here hath been telling me what a time you've had trying to get home. Knowing what a care girls can be, I have three of my own, you remember, I have consented to take you off her hands." "Nay," protested Nurse Johnson, "they have been no care, sir. I really do not know what we should have done without them during the past few weeks. 'Tis only that we do not know when strife will break out again, and I shall be uneasy while they are here. I do not wish their mothers to mourn as I am doing." "Well, have it your own way, madam," he answered. "If the young ladies do not mind an old man for a cavalier I shall be pleased to take them with me to Trenton. The journey to Philadelphia can be easily arranged from that place." "We are glad to accept, Friend Livingston," spoke Peggy gratefully while Sally was so delighted that she could only look her thanks. "And when does thee wish to start?" "I must get to Trenton to-day, Miss Peggy. It will mean a long, hard ride, and I hope you can be ready, say in an hour, though the time might be stretched a little, if it were absolutely necessary." "An hour will be more than sufficient, sir," she replied. "We will surprise thee by being ready before that." "I know that you are able to do many things, Miss Peggy," he said smiling, "but if you and your friend are able to get ready for a journey in that length of time you will give me a new estimate of girlhood." "We will show thee," she cried eagerly as they left the room. But their very anxiety threatened to defeat their purpose. Had not both Nurse Johnson and Mrs. Ashley helped them the governor must have had the best of it. As it was they were ready a quarter of an hour before the time set. Then came the farewells. In spite of their desire to go the maidens found it very hard to say good-bye. There is a bond between those who have endured much together, and the girls had become almost a part of the family. Both Nurse Johnson and Mrs. Ashley could not control their tears, and Farmer Ashley wrung their hands again and again. The maidens' own eyes were soft with weeping, and they silently took their places in the coach. Nurse Johnson had told Governor Livingston the trials which the girls had undergone, so now as the coach rolled away, he spoke cheerily: