Page:Mistress Madcap (1937).pdf/170

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"We will go, I think," he observed abstractedly, "to our aunt's in Broad Street."

"Aye, sir," answered Jerry, adding quickly, "best go at once! I hear ye sentry!"

For ten minutes the young man hurried Mehitable along. Then, reaching the shelter of some houses, he stopped abruptly.

"Mistress Hitty," he said gravely, "art mad?"

Mehitable, who had been waiting impatiently for an opportunity to speak, poured out her story. But when she had finished, the other shook his head.

"I cannot see why thy father allowed thee to come," he said.

When he had grasped the fact that Squire Condit knew nothing of his impetuous daughter's adventure as yet, the young officer whistled in astonishment, though the girl was relieved to find the inevitable twinkle in his eye.

"I will say," he drawled then, "thou art not lacking in spirit, little Mistress Madcap! But come, we must be on our way!"

"Whither do we go?" asked Mehitable.

"To my aunt's, Mistress Livingston, on Broad Street."

"Be she Tory?"

"Well, she is married to an Englishman." Lieutenant Freeman smiled. If he had not been such a tease he might have explained that his aunt, in that city of enemies, was a fiery patriot, as was her daughter, Mistress Nancy, and that his uncle was a good-natured