A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia
Page 5
CHAPTER IV
AUNT DEBORAH IS SURPRISED
Years after, when Ruth was really "grown up," she often recalled thewonderful night when she sat at General Howe's dinner-table. For MajorAndre had lifted her to a seat beside the General; with a friendly wordhe untied the bonnet-strings and put the bonnet on a side table; andRuth began to think that it was all a dream from which she would soonawaken to find herself safely at home. She wondered if it really wereRuth Pernell who was answering the General's questions about the missingHero.
"I can do no less than try to find your dog, little maid," he said, "forwhen my own dog wandered away to General Washington's camp, in theGermantown fray, the General sent him back to me under the protection ofa flag of truce; so, as you tell me your father is with Washington, Imust see to it that Hero is found. That is, if one of my soldiers has sofar forgotten orders as to have taken him," for the English Generaltook every care that his soldiers should do no harm to the residents ofthe city.
Ruth was sure that she knew the very house where she had heard Hero'sbark; and now that General Howe had promised that a search should bemade she was eager to go home, and slid out of the chair just as aservant set a plate before her.
"I must go home. I--I--ran away," she said a little falteringly, lookingup at the tall General. "Will you please find Hero the first thingto-morrow?"
"Here, Andre! the young lady wishes to return home," said the General,"and see to it that you take her there safely, and that you find thelost Hero. And find a better plot for your next comedy," the Generaladded, as the young officer came forward.
Ruth wondered what "comedy" meant. She did not know that Major Andre,whose gay good humor and charming manner made him a favorite with all,was depended upon to furnish amusement for his brother officers; or thatthey had at first believed that Ruth, stumbling into the dining-roomdressed as a woman, was the first act of some amusing play of Andre'scontriving.
Now that it proved she was only a runaway little girl looking for a lostdog they found it amusing that the young officer should have the troubleof taking her home.
Ruth could never quite remember the manner in which the General bade hergood-bye, or if she make her curtsy, or even thanked him for promisingthat Hero should be found.
Major Andre tied on her bonnet, and opening a door that led to a sideentrance, led her to the street.
"Now tell me the way, and I'll have you home in a jiffy," he saidpleasantly.
But it was no easy matter for Ruth to walk as rapidly as her companion;she stumbled over the skirt; the strings of her bonnet had slipped sothat it kept bobbing over her eyes and had to be pushed back; and shewas now so frightened at the thought of what Aunt Deborah would say thatshe hardly knew in what direction they were going until the youngofficer stopped at her own door and lifted the knocker whose rap wassure to bring Aunt Deborah hastening to answer it.
"You will not forget about Hero?" Ruth said as they stood on the steps.
"Indeed, I shall not. Be very sure I will do my best to find your dog. Iwill go to the house on Second Street early to-morrow," responded Andre,and the door swung open and Aunt Deborah, holding a candle in one hand,stood looking at them.
"Here is your little girl, madam; she has done no harm, I assure you.She did but make a friendly call on General Howe, who sent me to bringher safely home," said the young officer, hat in hand, and making hisbest bow.
"I thank thee for bringing the child home, sir," responded Aunt Deborah,drawing Ruth firmly over the threshold and closing the door before MajorAndre could say another word. The young officer hurried back to theGeneral's dinner-table, a little vexed that he had made so much needlesstrouble for himself by introducing the queer little girl to GeneralHowe.
"Slip off thy mother's dress at once, before you do it further harm,"said Aunt Deborah; and Ruth, not daring to look up, hastened to obey, asshe stood in the dimly-lit hall.
"I--I--only went to look for Hero," Ruth tried to explain, after amoment's silence.
"So thee had to put on thy mother's very best gown; one that she doesnot wear herself save on great occasions," responded Aunt Deborah,taking up the silk dress out of which Ruth had just stepped. "It isprobably ruined. Go straight to bed. Thou art a willful and unrulychild," she continued, as Ruth started toward the stairway.
Aunt Deborah followed her, the dress over her arm, but she said no moreuntil they reached Ruth's chamber.
"I believed thee safe in thy room. When thee did not come to supper Ithought thee ashamed and sorry, because of the manner in which thouspoke to me; so I did not open the door. But no; thee was playing atbeing some one beside thy rightful self; and going to the house of anenemy against whom thy father is fighting. I know not what to say tothee, Ruth, nor how to make thee realize that thee has brought shameupon us," said Aunt Deborah.
Ruth was crying bitterly, and could make no response. Aunt Deborah tookthe candle and left the room, leaving Ruth to find her way into bed inthe dark. She wished with all her heart that she had not worn hermother's silk gown and pretty bonnet. If they really were ruined sheknew it would be a long time before her mother could replace them; forthere was no extra money in the little household while America wasfighting for her rightful liberties.
"None of them, not even General Howe, believed that I was really grownup. They were just laughing at me," she thought. "It would have beenjust as well if I had waited, and had asked Aunt Deborah if I might notgo. Oh, dear! And now I have spoiled Mother's dress."
Ruth was so unhappy that she had quite forgotten that Hero might soon berestored to her.