Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/94

Rh would have done, Jacob Dean," some one cried, and the worthy silversmith turned on the speaker in a rage.

"Do you dare to say that I would make an attack on two helpless children?"

"It wasn't the girls, but the spy, that brought us here!"

"And if the spy, as you claim, was shut up in this house, would it not have been as well to summon me, before battering in a door that can hardly be replaced in this country?"

During this brief conversation Dorothy had been struggling to turn the huge key in the lock, and had only just succeeded when Master Dean ceased speaking.

He did not, however, enter immediately; but stepped aside to admit the ladies, and when they were inside. Master Lamb joined him on the threshold, where the two men stood holding back the mob.

Now had come the time when Dorothy believed it was necessary she should tell her father all that had occurred; but her mother insisted that she and Sarah come into the living room without delay.

"May I speak with him just for one moment?" the child pleaded; but Mistress Dean did not think it seemly the children should remain before the mob of men, and, never supposing there