ty maid.

Goodwife Kendall did not favor having too much time spent in arranging
the hair, dressing up, and such like vanities. Yet much it did please
her to see the beautiful fluff and rich curl of Sally's red-gold hair
after she had used on it a good brush and comb.

And a "changeable" silk of pink and gray, making an "ashes of roses"
color, that had hung useless in the closet for a year, made so becoming
a gown for the blooming maid that Goodwife Kendall feared lest the
bright young head might be turned at sight of the fair vision flashed
back from the little mirror into the clear, dark eyes.

And Parson Kendall had some ado in striving to keep back from her ears
sundry and divers compliments and sweet sayings that began to be tossed
about, bearing on the growth and beauty of the Maid Sally Dukeen.

As winter rolled away and spring came on, the threats and mutterings
against the governor and king grew louder and ever louder, and spoken
with less fear. Work was going on in the fields and on the plantations,
but men met at the corner of the roads and at the stores, talking long
and earnestly, and with stern faces and dark brows.

Sally had seen the Fairy Prince ride by a number of times, sometimes
with his cousin Rosamond Earlscourt at his side. With other new
feelings, Sally had begun to feel backward at thought of going again to
the seat behind the hedge. She could read anything now, and in more than
one language. No excuse any longer for wanting to hear another read, and
something told her that slyly listening was not becoming in any person
of right ideas.

One day at dinner,--always the noon meal in those days,--Parson Kendall
said:

"It is now reported that Sir Percival Grandison, after much thought,
feels it his duty to side with the king, and not to aid the colonists.
But he hath great todo in striving to keep down the fiery spirit of his
young son. The lad thinketh himself old enough to have a mind of his
own, as indeed he is, and he greatly desireth to have his name enrolled
as a soldier, if fighting must be done. It is sad to have father and son
divided at such serious times, and Sir Percival wishes not to deal
harshly with his son. Yet the young man is with the colonists heart and
soul."

"And how old is he?" asked one of the sisters.

"He is nineteen, not yet of age."

"But if there should be fighting, think you not there would be many a
stripling," asked Goodwife Kendall, "of even seventeen or