use those people are simple and confiding
in one way, and in another way are sharper than you think. All the world
likes sympathy, which is a kindly feeling toward others, and a
willingness to listen to what is in their hearts. And Mammy sees that
you pay attention to what she says, and it pleases her."

"I must be careful," said Maid Sally.

"You have need to be," warned her Fairy.

The days grew more full of excitement. There were whisperings, hot
speeches, and murmurings on every side.

But in the midst of the boil and trouble Sir Percival Grandison, and a
few others, determined to give a ball in the Hall of Burgesses in hopes
to break in upon the stormy feelings that were abroad, and perhaps bring
about a more peaceful state of things.

The seat of government had been in Williamsburg until that fall of
1774. Then it was removed to Philadelphia.

There had been a splendid ball given in May, in honor of the wife and
daughter of the governor, Lord Dunmore. And although the people neither
liked nor respected the haughty, wilful governor, it yet was thought a
proper thing to welcome with a gay gathering the ladies who had come to
live at the "Governor's Palace," as his home was called.

Now the Hall of Burgesses was to see another brilliant affair, when
people of rank and fashion would come together for a merry night, and
Sir Percival secretly trusted that it might tone down the war spirit in
his young son.

Maid Sally cast about in her mind, wondering if she could possibly get a
peep at the splendid scene, for ah, what delight it would be to look
upon it, if only for a moment!

"It will be a brave sight," said her Fairy, "but it may stir feelings in
your soul it were better should be at rest."

"No matter for that," said beauty-loving Sally, "I must see it if I
can."

Yet how could she bring it about? The church beadle, the dread man who
went about, and, staff in hand, kept all younglings quiet in the
meeting-house, the town-crier, who went up and down the roads and with a
great bell in hand found a lost child or told unusual news, the
constable and his two assistants, all these would be about the doors of
the building so that the many coaches could drive up without confusion,
and none but invited guests would dare to come too near.

Children and upper class servants might gaze on at a distance, but no
hangers-on would be permitted on that side of the road.

Up came Sally's will. Her strong, bright will.