Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/172

Rh which was left unsaid on a certain night not so long ago."

By this time Master Dean opened the door, and a tall soldier stepped inside the hall as he raised his hat and said courteously:

"At your service, ladies and gentlemen. I am Lieutenant Fitzroy Oakman of his majesty's Forty-fourth foot, an' it please you. By a fortunate chance I heard that rabble which has just left the square, proposing to burn this dwelling, therefore I came to take a hand in the game, as is my right, since two of my friends reside here if I am not mistaken," and before the master of the house could make reply, Dorothy and Sarah were by the officer's side.

The time when the silversmith would have been angry at seeing his child in converse with a Britisher, had gone by, and he made no protest when the soldier, embracing both the children, kissed them fervently, saying as he did so:

"These are from my own babies whose father's life you saved, and if your parents be not averse, they shall send you many messages of the same kind, for by this time they must know and love the little maids who played so kindly gallant a part toward a sorely distressed enemy."

"Will you be pleased to enter, sir?" Master Dean said as the officer released the children. "If these babies of ours saved your life, you have