b at the heart of
his country. Alas! I see what the end will be--disgrace and death,
ignominy and the gallows.

[ROSE _walks back to the window_.

KATE. Mr. Metcalf, how are your little charges? How flourishes the
birch?

METCALF. They've all caught the spirit of the rebellion, marm, and are
as untractable as bulls. Bless you, there isn't a lad over fourteen
who hasn't abandoned his horn-book and gone off with Armstrong. And
as for the girls, they're greater rebels than the boys. What do you
think, marm? The other day they came marching in procession, and
demanded to know on which side I was. I said "God save the King;"
whereupon they fell upon me like a swarm of bees, armed with a
thousand pins, and so pinched, and pricked, and pulled me, that there
wasn't a square inch of my skin that wasn't as full of holes as a
ten-year old pin-cushion. And I do believe they never would have
stopped if I hadn't cried, "Huzza for Washington!"

ELSWORTH. I hope, sir, that you will not be compelled to follow the
example of your scholars, and turn soldier.

METCALF. Never, sir. I content myself with teaching the young idea how
to shoot, without indulging in such dangerous practices myself.

ROSE. [_From the window_.] Why, there's Harry--father, Kate--Harry is
dismounting at the door.

ELSWORTH. Bless me! Is it possible?

[_All gather around the window_.

KATE. It is, I declare--and how splendid he looks. Harry! Harry!

[_All salute him, and shake their handkerchiefs._

METCALF. [_Aside to_ ROSE.] Hist! Miss Elsworth!

ROSE. Eh!

METCALF. Walter is near--a note--

ROSE. [_Seizing it, and reading hurriedly._] Will be with you to-day--

KATE. [_Looking towards right, at the window_.] Doesn't he look fine?
There's his step in the hall.

[_They all go towards door_. ROSE _conceals_ WALTER'S _note_.

HARRY. [_Within_.] Rose, Kate, father!

_Enter_ LIEUTENANT HARRY ELSWORTH. _All gather around him with
exclamations of welcome._

METCALF. [_Aside_.] I'll take occasion to steal down-stairs, and
plague Bridget into a kiss or two. Delicious Bridget!

[_Exit_ METCALF.

ELSWORTH. Harry! My brave lad!

ROSE. Dear brother!

HARRY. Dear sister! Father!

ELSWORTH. Stand aside, girls. Let me have a look at him. Harry! Harry!
You are a splendid-looking fellow, you are. Ha, ha, ha! Your hand, my
boy. You look like a soldier, sir.

HARRY. I have good news for you. I have just rode on before to
acquaint you that Major Cleve