Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/43

32 "You must get the key of the house from mother, Scip, else we can't get in."

"I 'clar to goodness, little Missy; but de ole man clean forgot 'bout dat part ob it, an' I spects yer mammy did too."

"Do not loiter on the way," Mistress Dean said as she unfastened from the chain around her waist, the key of the house door.

"I'se gwine ter tote dem chillun right quick, an' dere won't be no foolin' 'roun', dat yer can 'pend on, Missus."

Then Scipio led the girls through the throng with no slight difficulty, for every person was eager to press forward, and resented any attempt which would seem to cause a loss of vantage ground.

It was with a long-drawn sigh of relief that Dorothy finally gained the open street in the rear of the sight-seers, and old Scip appeared surprised because she gave evidence of pleasure.

"I 'lowed dat yer'd be clean down to de heel on 'count ob habin' to come away 'fore de fire started, an' yet you'se chipper as er jay-bird, little Missy."

"It was dreadful to be jammed among all those people; I felt as if I was stifling, and besides, if we'd stayed much longer, being pulled and hauled as we were when the Tory took his ride, our new gowns would have been ruined."