“It is here. At the street corners I saw the bill-man pasting up news of it. In every one’s mouth I heard it. Alive was the air with the word _war_; and standing in groups, men were talking together in that passion of anger that means war, war, and nothing but war.” “The blood of New York is always boiling, mother. When Gerardus comes he will tell us if it be war. I shall not be sorry if it is. When one has been waiting for a blow five long years, it is a relief to have it fall. Who is to blame? The administration, or the people?” “As well may you ask whether it is the fiddle, or the fiddlestick, that makes the tune.” “At any rate we shall give England a good fight. Our men are not cowards.” “Carlita, all men would be cowards--if they durst.” “Mother!” “If they durst disobey the nobler instincts which make the lower ones face their duty.” “Oh!” “Carlita, you have no ideas about humanity.” “I think mother I, at least, understand my husband and sons--as for Sapphira----” “More difficult she will be--and more interesting. Peter and Christopher are all Dutch; they that run may read them, but in Sapphira the Dutch and French are discreetly mingled. She has tithed your French ancestors, Carlita--take good heed of her.” “They were of noble strain.” “Surely, that is well known. Now I must go home, for I know that Annette is already afraid, and there is the dinner to order. Pigeons do not fly into the mouth ready roasted, and Commenia is getting old. She is lazy, too; but so! The year goes round and somehow we do not find it all bad.” As she finished speaking, Sapphira came hastily into the room. Her face was flushed, her eyes flashing, and she cried out with unrestrained emotion: “Mother! Mother! We must put out our flags! All the houses on the Green are flagged! Kouba has them ready. He will help me. And you too, mother? Certainly you will help? Kouba says we are going to fight England again! I am so proud! I am so happy! Come, come, mother!” “My dear one, wait a little. Your father will be here soon, and----” “Oh, no, no! Father may be in court. He is likely with the mayor. Perhaps he is talking to the people. We can not wait. We must put out the flags--the old one that has seen battle, and the new one that is to see it.” “But Sapphira----” “I have the flags ready, mother. Come quickly,” and without further parley she ran with fleet, headlong steps to the upper rooms of the house. Madame, her grandmother, smiled knowingly at her daughter-in-law. “The will that is your will?” she asked; “where is it? You can see for yourself, Carlita.” “The news seems to be true at last. You had better wait for Gerardus, mother. He will tell us all about it.” “The news will find me out in Nassau Street.” “Commenia can manage without you for one day.” “There are strawberries to preserve. I like to manage my affairs myself. I have my own way, and some other way does not please me.”