"I shall see him as often as I like, father."

"Thankful Blossom!"

"Abner Blossom!"

"I see you know not," said Mr. Blossom, abandoning the severely
paternal mandatory air for one of confidential disclosure, "I see
you know not his reputation. He is accused of inciting his
regiment to revolt,--of being a traitor to the cause."

"And since when, Abner Blossom, have YOU felt such concern for the
cause? Since you refused to sell supplies to the Continental
commissary, except at double profits? since you told me you were
glad I had not polities like Mistress Ford--"

"Hush!" said the father, motioning to the parlor.

"Hush," echoed Thankful indignantly. "I won't be hushed!
Everybody says 'Hush' to me. The count says 'Hush!' Allan says
'Hush!' You say 'Hush!' I'm a-weary of this hushing. Ah, if
there was a man who didn't say it to me!" and Mistress Thankful
lifted her fine eyes to the ceiling.

"You are unwise, Thankful,--foolish, indiscreet. That is why you
require much monition."

Thankful swung her feet in silence for a few moments, then suddenly
leaped from the table, and, seizing the old man by the lapels of