e!
Thee should have seen how he fought the pine robbers. In just the
short time that he was in Monmouth County he had made a reputation.
And he was as modest as he was brave, mother."

Mrs. Owen stooped suddenly so that she could look into her daughter's
eyes.

"Was thee very fond of him, Peggy?" she asked softly.

"So fond, mother." Peggy met her mother's look frankly. "Sally and I
both were. Thee would have been too had thee been with him long."

The anxious gleam which had shone for a second in Mrs. Owen's eyes
faded at Peggy's answer, and she said quietly:

"I liked him very much as it was, my daughter. The matter hath
created quite a stir in the city. Nothing but retaliation is talked
of. Report hath it that General Washington expects a speedy adjustment
of the matter when the new British commander comes. They expect him in
a few days. It is a sad affair. But oh, Peggy! I am glad thee is
home!"

"And I never want to leave Philadelphia again," cried Peggy. "It seems
so hard to get back when I do go away. No; I never want to leave it
again."

"That is unfortunate, Peggy." Her mother stroked her hair gently.
"David hath writ that he is to be stationed at Lancaster all summer,
and that, as 'twas possible to get a comfortable house there, he would
like for us to come to him. We might then all be together once more.
But thy experiences have been most trying, my daughter. Father would
understand if thee feels that thee would rather stay here."

"Why, mother, if I am with thee and father I won't mind," spoke Peggy
quickly. "Of course I love Philadelphia, for it is my own city. No
other place seems quite like it to me; but, after all, home is where
our loved ones are. If I can be with thee and father, I will not mind
where I am."

Mrs. Owen kissed her fondly.

"I am glad that thou hast so decided, Peggy. It would have been a
great disappointment to David had it been thought best not to come.
His visits home have been infrequent, and we have not been together
much since the winter at Middlebrook."

"And when do we go, mother?"

"In about a week. Robert Dale hath some business with General
Washington, and is at Newburgh now. He will act as our escort on his
way back to Lancaster."

"Is Robert to be there all summer?"

"I believe so. He thinks we shall like Lancaster. The Congress met
there while the British held this city, thee remembers?"

"Yes, mother. Oh, 'tis so good to be with thee!" Peggy laid her h