But the old lady was sound asleep. Not only was she sound asleep, but she was still snoring.
"Huh?" the Hessian grunted. And then, reaching a long arm past Mehitable, he plucked at the old lady's cape. "Passpor'," he shouted in a loud voice.
The old lady awoke with a great start and stared at him in fright. Impatiently he repeated his question and the old lady turned to Mehitable inquiringly.
"Passport! He wants your passport," explained the girl, showing hers and Charity's in an effort to lend understanding.
Then the old lady nodded and drew out her reticule, while the sentinel watched in visible disgust and sighed in mock patience.
But the old lady's passport was not in her reticule. Incredulously she reached in again, groping around and pulling out a kerchief, a pair of white mitts, a few coins and three peppermints. In a sudden flurry, she commenced feeling in other pockets of her gown. At last, in dismay, she stumbled to her feet and started toward the coach door.
"Nein, nein!" grunted the soldier at that, barring her exit. "Where you go, huh?"
"I must have room!" returned the old lady in a high, excited voice. "I must have room to search for the passport. I cannot reach all of the pockets of my gown in this small space. Let me pass, sir!"
The Hessian, at this, looked suddenly and unaccountably at the man named Hawtree, who gave an imperceptible nod. Whereupon the sentinel stepped aside from the coach door and the old lady crowded past
