s with the
ministry, which was very natural, as their father was holding a very
important office under the crown.

There was a merry chattering of voices, a rattling of knives and
forks, and changing of plates. Mark Antony was master of ceremonies at
the table, giving directions to Caesar and Pompey.

Although society was divided politically, neighbors still were
friends, accepting and giving hospitality, and when meeting socially
avoiding all allusion to the proposed bill for taxing the Colonies.
All hoped that nothing would be done by Parliament to interrupt
friendly relations between the Colonies and the mother country. Doctor
Warren made himself agreeable to bluff Admiral Montague. William
Molineux cracked jokes with Colonel Dalrymple. Richard Dana and
Nathaniel Coffin were friendly neighbors. Mr. Dana could look out from
his front windows near Frog Lane,[34] and see the spacious grounds of
his neighbor Coffin's "Fields," as the boys who played ball called
it. There was no reason why they should be at odds socially, just
because Lord North and the king proposed to levy a tax of three pence
a pound on tea.

[Footnote 34: Frog Lane extended from Newbury, now Washington Street,
to the Common. It is now a part of Boylston Street. Mr. Dana's house
commanded an extensive view across the fields, gardens, and orchards
owned by Nathaniel Coffin, south of the present Summer Street.]

With story and jest the company enjoyed the banquet and then
were rowed to the shore, all shaking hands with Berinthia and
congratulating her upon the successful launching of the vessel
bearing her name.

"What can we do to round out the day for you, dear?"

It was Miss Newville addressing Berinthia.

"I don't know; what can we?" was the reply.

"How would you like a sleigh-ride?" Robert asked.

"Delightful!" exclaimed Miss Newville.

"Jenny and the colt are rested, and if you don't mind riding in a
pung, I shall be pleased to take a little spin out of town."

"Oh, it will be so charming! I would rather go in a pung than in a
sleigh; it is more romantic," Miss Newville said.

It was quickly arranged. Robert went to the Green Dragon, put new
straw in the pung, and was soon back with the team. They were eight in
number and quickly seated themselves. It was natural that Berinthia
and Abraham Duncan, who had put his heart into his work while carving
her features, should sit side by side, and that Tom Brandon and Mary
Shrimpton should