Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/45

34 "Of course they can't come now that the Declaration has been made. My father says the king no longer rules over us, and since that is so, he has no right to send his soldiers here."

"I 'spects you'se kerrect, little Missy. I'se only a wuffless ole nigger what wouldn't fetch ten shillin's at auction, an' I ain't got sense enuf ter know wha' de quality kin do; but I'se pow'ful sorry kase we done missed dat 'ere fire!"

"It will be much more pleasant at home, than among such a throng of people," Dorothy replied in a tone of content, "and who knows but that we can see the flames from the windows? Surely we should be able to do so if the bonfire is as large as was promised."

The idea appeared to have a soothing effect upon Scipio, whose black face was wreathed in smiles as he hurried his young charges on, trying from time to time to quicken the pace by reminding them that unless they arrived within a very short while the fire might have burned itself out.

The shadows of night were already lengthening when the little party arrived at the head of Wall street, and there was no further need to hasten the movements of the children, for both were eager to gain the shelter of the Hanover square home before it was fully dark.

When, finally, they stood on the stoop of the wooden house with its gable of yellow bricks,