ome boldly to
the front door for her. 'Twould be quite natural for some one to call
for her, would it not?"

"Why, 'tis the very thing," cried Peggy. "Of course her mother would
send for her on such a night. Only I like not to send her away before
she hath finished her supper. 'Tis monstrously inhospitable."

"'Twill be easier to get him away then than at any other time," he
declared. "She will mind it not if she really wishes to aid you."

"She will do anything for me," said Peggy tremulously. Her heart
was very full of love toward these friends for the aid they were
rendering. "Friend Fairfax, thee has certainly hit upon the very
thing."

"And his boots," continued the youth. "He hath on the English
top-boots of narrow make. 'Twas by them that he was so easily traced.
Of late we of the states have manufactured our own boots, and all
citizens wear them save the macaronis. They are not so well finished,"
he glanced at his own boots as he spoke with something of regret, "but
'tis that very thing that makes the difference. I have another pair in
my portmanteau, Mistress Peggy. I will get them, and you must contrive
to have your cousin wear them. He can take his own with him. In this
manner the snow will give no trace of his going, for the boots are
such as all citizens wear."

"Thank thee," said Peggy gratefully. "Thee has taken a great load from
my mind, Friend Fairfax. I make no doubt but that all will fall out as
thee has planned. What is it, Betty?"

"I was just wondering what there was about slicing cold ham that
called for such absorbing interest," cried Betty who vacillated
between the kitchen and the dining-room. "Robert spoke to thee once,
and I asked Captain Johnson a question. Neither of you deigned to
answer us."

"Thee may take my place and find the secret," said Peggy
mischievously, so relieved over the plan as outlined by Fairfax that
she could enjoy the diffidence that once more overwhelmed him at
Betty's approach. "I will help Sally with that cake."

"'Tis just the thing," declared Sally as Peggy unfolded the
arrangement. "And how simple! I like thy friend, Peggy, and yet I
cannot help but laugh at his blushes and shyness."

"I feel the same, Sally," confessed Peggy with remorse. "He is a dear
lad, for all his diffidence, and yet there are times when I am beset
with a desire to tease him. Why is it, I wonder, that we females
delight to torment such even though they are in very truth heroes?"