t; the freshest of
eggs, and choicest butter. She found great pleasure in dispensing
gracious hospitality, inviting the governor and lieutenant-governor of
the Province, the justices, councilors, officers of the army and navy,
strangers of distinction from other Provinces or from the other side
of the sea; reverend doctors of divinity, lawyers, physicians,
citizens of standing. She gave garden parties on summer afternoons,
the guests sipping tea amid the flowers.

To such an entertainment Berinthia Brandon desired Robert's company.
The barber on the corner of the street trimmed and powdered his hair,
Mark Antony smoothed the wrinkles from his coat, and Berinthia fixed
new ribbons in his knee-buckles.

"I am afraid I shall be so stiff and awkward you will be ashamed of
me," he said, as she adjusted his ruffles.

"Oh no, I am sure your common sense will come to your aid."

"I shall not know anybody, and shall feel like a cat in a strange
garret."

"But I will introduce you to some charming people."

"I shall make a fool of myself. I have never been in such society, and
shall not know what to talk about. If it was like a quilting, such as
we have at Rumford, I might get on, but I know I shall be the
laughing-stock of the ladies."

"I am not afraid of it. Just be yourself, that's all."

The clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse was striking three when they
passed it on their way to the Newville mansion.

"You will find Mr. Newville a courtly, well-informed gentleman," said
Berinthia. "Perhaps I ought to tell you that he is a Tory, which is
quite natural, when we consider that he holds an office under the
crown. He is very discreet, however, and is careful not to say or do
anything offensive to the Sons of Liberty. Of course, political
questions are not mentioned at these enjoyable gatherings. We say
nothing about the Stamp Act: give all like topics the go-by, and just
enjoy ourselves socially. You will find Mrs. Newville a delightful
lady, and I know you will be charmed by Miss Ruth, a lovely girl, with
gracious ways and a character all her own. I cannot describe her. Only
intimate friends can know her goodness. Few young ladies in Boston
are more accomplished. Master Lovell[26] is her tutor, visiting her
after school hours, to direct her course of study. She has been
through the arithmetic, while most of us never have been beyond
proportion. Having finished the accidence she has begun Latin; she can
tambour, make