e can trust the old diaries of the time. But the other
branch, the people who thought society worldly and carnal, reduced life
to the plainest of needs, except where eating was concerned. There they
could not rail at their brethren.

"Do not bother thy small brain about this," the elder went on after a
pause. "It is better to learn kindness to one's neighbor, and
truth-telling that is not made a cloak for malicious temper. I am glad
to have thee back, little one, and they will not be likely to need thee
at the farm, nor perhaps care so much about thy faith."

The whole household rejoiced. They had grown very fond of Primrose.
Often now in the late afternoon Madam Wetherill would mount her horse
with the pillion securely fastened at the back, and Primrose quite as
secure, and with a black attendant go cantering over the country roads,
rough as they were, to Belmont Mansion with its long avenue of great
branching hemlocks; or to Mount Pleasant, embedded in trees, that was to
be famous many a long year for the tragedy that befell its young wife;
and Fairhill, with English graveled walks and curious exotics brought
from foreign lands where Debby Norris planted the willow wand given her
by Franklin, from which sprang a numerous progeny before that unknown in
the New World.

They would stop and take a cup of tea on the tables set under a tree. Or
there would be ale or mead, or a kind of fragrant posset, with cloves
and raisins and coriander seed, with enough brandy to flavor it, and a
peculiar kind of little cakes to be eaten with it. Discussions ran high
at times, and there was card-playing, or, if water was near, the young
people went out rowing with songs and laughter. A lovely summer, and no
one dreamed, amid the half fears, that from the town to Valley Forge was
always to be historic ground.

"Madam Wetherill has grown wonderfully fond of that child," said Miss
Logan. "And what eyes she hath! They begin to look at you in a shy way,
as if begging your pardon for looking at all; then they go on like a
sunrise until you are quite amazed, when the lids droop down like a
network and veil the sweetness. And a skin like a rose leaf. It is said
her mother had many charms."

"And her father looked courtly enough for a cavalier. There is a
portrait of him that Mr. Northfield hath stored away, that is to be sent
to England to the son by a former wife. Though I believe the great hall
the boy was to inherit hath a new heir, the