Time adorning the top, and
its slowly moving pendulum, proclaimed the hour of five, the hour when
the duties of the day came to a close and social life began. The old
fireplace, black in this season of desuetude, but brilliant in its huge
brass andirons like two pilasters of gold, caught the eye at the extreme
end of the room, while in the corner near the window a round mahogany
tea-table, stood upright like an expanded fan or palm leaf.

Stephen seated himself in a great chair that lay to one side of the
room.

"I had the good fortune of being your daughter's partner for the
evening, and I am happy to be enabled to pay my respects to you."
Stephen addressed Mrs. Allison who was nearer to him on his left.

"Marjorie told me, Captain, of your extreme kindness to her. We
appreciate it very much. Did she conduct herself becomingly? She is a
stranger to such brilliant affairs."

"Splendidly!" answered Stephen. "And she danced charmingly," and he
slyly looked at her as he spoke and thought he detected a faint blush.

"I did not attend on account of its extravagance," remarked Mrs.
Allison. "I had duties at home, and Marjorie was well attended."

"Indeed!" pronounced Marjorie.

"It was magnificent, to be sure," went on Stephen, "but it will excite
no uncertain comment. Republican simplicity last night was lost from
sight."

"Which I scarce approve of," declared Marjorie.

"You did not suit your action to your thought," smiled her mother.

"True," replied the girl, "yet I told you that I was anxious to attend
simply to behold the novelty of it all. Now that it is over, I
disapprove of the splendor and extravagance especially in these times of
need."

"Yes," volunteered Stephen, "she did voice similar sentiments to me last
evening. Nevertheless she is not alone in her criticism. The _Gazette_
today publishes a leading article excoriating the Military Governor for
his use of the teams, which he had commanded under pretense of
revictualing of the army, for the transportation of his private effects
to and from the City Tavern. It spells dissatisfaction at best."

"There has been dissatisfaction from the first day on which he took up
residence at the Slate Roof House," said Mrs. Allison.

The figure of Mr. Allison appeared in the room to the rear. Stephen made
haste to stand to greet him, expressing his extreme pleasure.

It was a great day for a tradesman when an officer of the Continental
Army supped at his tabl