eyes of the law. His father's house was searched, and a man of Belial
abode with us to see if he would not come back. And the two fine animals
and the market wagon were carried off. If they had found him it would
have gone hard with him."

"But they did not," Primrose said triumphantly.

"Thou didst see him then?"

"Yes. And we knew--we saw him safely on the old Perkiomen road. Then
someone came the next day to inquire about him, so we know he had
eluded them. And now they have marched in and Philadelphia is free!"

"There were anxious days and nights about him until the word came that
he had joined the camp of rebels under Washington."

"But long ago he said if the country needed him he would go. And there
was Penn to take his place."

"Penn will be a good son to my uncle. But, after all, it is Andrew's
place. He is needed. His mother's heart is sore for him, and I can see
that Uncle James is not at rest. So I have put my pride in my pocket as
a sinful thing, and come to thee. Perhaps thou mayest have some
influence over him. Wilt thou try to persuade him?"

Primrose looked down on the floor as she laced her slim hands together.

"I will tell thee the whole story. He was to marry me. Aunt Lois wished
it and said I was a daughter after her own heart. I should have cared
for them as if I had been an own child. Uncle James had spoken to him
and he had promised to consider. At the meeting it had been talked of as
most proper and suitable. I had not much money, for our small farm hath
to be divided among three. But Uncle James thought a good wife better
than wealth."

Primrose stared in blank amazement. Had not Andrew said there was a
condition he could not fulfill? Was it this?

"I should have made him a good wife and roused him out of that
dreaminess he allowed to hang about him. And because it was to be so, I
plead with Uncle James until he relented. He hath promised me to take
him back----"

"But he will not leave the army until they have driven the English
across the seas again. And if thou couldst see him so straight and tall
and proud, holding up his head as he never did before! And all his heart
is in it."

"But the Lord made him a son and not a soldier. It is against our
belief. We have come out from the world, and are not to fight its sinful
battles. He hath a higher duty. Thou hast a smooth and persuasive
tongue, and if thou wouldst use it to restore peace between a sad father
and wayward son, and