hance," said Maid Sally.

"Do," said her Fairy.

In those days, Mistress Brace grumbled and scolded because she dared not
buy tea. There was still a tax on it, and loyal colonists denied
themselves tea sooner than pay the unjust tax.

But Mistress Brace had no great love of country, nor did she care
anything about the matters that were stirring the people way down into
their hearts and souls.

And so, after a time, she had grown tired and vexed at having to go
without her tea. The only reason she had gone without it at all, was
because the hired men--these were farmers who were hired by a
planter--had said that it was known all over the place when any one
bought an ounce of "the taxed stuff," and that whoever got it was set
down as being a "Tory," which meant a person who favored England and
the king rather than one's own country.

But there came a day not long after the ball, when Mistress Brace made
up her mind that she would do without tea no longer. The hired men had
put up with herb--they called it "yarb"--tea, made from herbs and mints,
and had drunk it without complaint.

But the mistress thought they need know nothing about it if she bought a
package for her own use. Goodman Chatfield, who sold dry-goods and
haberdashery, or small wares, on one side of his store, and groceries on
the other, would sell no tea at all; he was a true patriot, and "the
taxed stuff" could not be found at his store.

But the "apothecary man" kept a little "for weak and sickly folk," and
now Mistress Brace handed Sally some money as she said:

"Here's two and thri-pence, and you are to go to Doctor Hancocke's store
and buy half a pound of tea."

"I can't buy tea," said Sally, drawing back her hand and not touching
the money.

"You do as I tell you!" cried Mistress Brace, with fierceness in her
tones. "If Doctor Hancocke says aught about it, tell him I am not well
and must have a good sup of tea to hearten me."

"But you are well," replied Maid Sally, "and it would not be right,
either that I should tell a lie or that I should buy tea with the king's
tax upon it."

Mistress Brace raised her hand as if to strike the young maiden who
stood straight and quiet before her. But she did not strike her, she
only exclaimed again:

"Take the money and do as you are bid!"

"I can't buy tea" said Maid Sally.

"Then begone out of my sight and out of my house, and see that you come
not back!" cried the angry mistress. "Highty, tigh