sight! I went to the door to get a breath of air, and as I stood there
what should I see approaching down the street but a lad with dusty
clothes and bulging pockets--nay, wait, Elizabeth! The drollest part is
yet to come! I vow he had stuffed one pocket full of stockings, and
from the other protruded a loaf of bread! And in his hand was a great
fat roll, and he was eating it! Gnawing it off, an you please, as if
there were no one to see him! Then he looked up, and----

ELIZABETH
(shocked).
Deborah! Thee did not laugh at him! Thee did not mock at him!

DEBORAH
(wiping tears of mirth from her eyes).
Mock at him? Oh, lud! I laughed till my sides ached! (Rises, as she
happens to see that Roger Burchard and his guest are rising, yet
continues gaily.) And when he caught sight of my face----

[Just as Deborah utters these words she and Franklin perceive each
other. Deborah is utterly taken aback and quite speechless.

ROGER
(seeing nothing amiss).
Welcome, Deborah Read. I present to thee Benjamin Franklin.

[Franklin bows. Deborah drops a fluttering courtesy, and then clings to
Elizabeth Burchard.

DEBORAH
(quaveringly).