Peggy and me to see Clifford this morning, won't
you, Cousin David?" Harriet smiled brightly over the breakfast table
at David Owen as she spoke. Despite the long journey the girls had
awakened betimes, and appeared looking so radiant and so thoroughly
wholesome that Mr. Owen had declared that they surpassed the morning
itself in brightness.

"Thou wilt have to wait until about noon, Harriet," he answered
smiling at her kindly. "I have some work which must be attended to
first. When that is done I shall be at thy service."

"And when thee does go, Harriet, try to persuade thy brother to give
his parole, that he may visit us," exclaimed Mrs. Owen. "I quite long
to see the lad, and John said that there was no reason why he should
not be at large, if he would but give his word not to go beyond the
limits of the town."

"I'll make Clifford see reason," said Harriet confidently. "He doesn't
like John Drayton, and therefore does not wish to accept any favor
from him."

"But why should he dislike him, lass? Drayton hath been kindness
itself to him."

"You see, Cousin David," explained Harriet with a charming blush,
"Clifford cannot rid himself of the idea that Captain Drayton may have
been in favor with me. Once I made a shirt which I gave to the captain
in sport. It seems that he twitted Clifford about it, and Clifford
tore the garment up. I believe they came to blows over the matter, and
there hath been bad feeling between them ever since."

"That would explain many things," spoke Mr. Owen musingly. "There is
certainly strong dislike on Clifford's part. Thou art sure that thou
hast given no cause for the feeling, lass?"

"Why, I dislike John Drayton extremely, Cousin David. He wears his
beaver in what he supposes is a jaunty fashion over his right eye, and
he swaggers when he walks. How could one show him favor?"

Mr. Owen laughed.

"The lad does swagger a bit, Harriet, but 'tis not an offensive
swagger. As to his hat: 'tis a standing joke of the army as to how he
keeps it on in battle. The hotter the fight the further on the side it
gets. I saw a letter that General Greene writ to His Excellency in
which he declared that Drayton fought with it on his right ear all
through the battle of Hobkirk's Hill. John was made a captain for
valor shown during that engagement. General Greene says that if it
ever gets an inch further down he will be a general, sure. Thee is
pleased over that, Peggy?"

"Oh, Peggy is hopeless