ner table of the great English General.

"And you are no better than a Tory, Betty Hastings," Gilbert continued,
looking disapprovingly toward brown-eyed Betty. "You said a little while
ago that you would rather be Lord Cornwallis than Washington."

"Well, what if I did? I only meant in your play; because the English
uniform is fine. All scarlet and gold," Betty explained. She was
smiling, and evidently did not care at all if Gilbert did not approve of
her. "Come on and tell us what your play is about," she added.

Gilbert's frown vanished. He drew a roll of paper from his pocket; and,
looking soberly at his companions, said:

"The name of my play is 'America Defeats the Foe.' It is in two acts.
The first act is Lord Cornwallis, that's you, Betty, on his knees asking
Washington to spare his life. The second act is Washington and Lafayette
and their triumphant army, Winifred is the army, marching into
Philadelphia."

"Um-m," said Betty slowly, "what does Washington say when Lord
Cornwallis asks him to spare his life?"

"I don't just know yet," Gilbert admitted. "I thought I'd wait until we
rehearsed."

"You said Fluff and Hero were to have parts," Winifred reminded him, a
little anxiously.

"What does Lafayette wear?" asked Ruth.

Gilbert's face flushed: "Just like girls, wanting to know everything
before I've had time to think. But I can tell you one thing, we'll have
to plan our costumes now."

"Mine is all planned," said Betty; "you know there is an English officer
lodging at our house, and I'll borrow his scarlet coat."

"My Aunt Deborah has seen Lafayette," Ruth announced proudly, "and I'll
ask her to tell me just what he wore, and then perhaps I can look just
like him."

Winifred said nothing. Gilbert had already told her that he meant to
dress up two broomsticks as American soldiers, and these were to "march"
on each side of Winifred, with her aid and assistance. She was always
ready to help Gilbert in all his plans, but she was beginning to think
that it would be rather a difficult task to be a triumphant army;
especially as Gilbert had told her that she must cheer for Washington
and Lafayette when they reached the "State House," whose location he had
not yet decided on.

"Aren't you going to have any girls or women in your play?" asked Betty,
apparently not greatly pleased with Gilbert's brief description. "_I_
think you ought to have Lady Washington in a balcony waving her
handkerchief, when th