United States or Curaçao ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Hero will take care of our house," Ruth said confidently, as she and her mother entered the pleasant chamber where they were to sleep. "Mother, you never scold me, do you?" she said, just as Mrs. Pernell extinguished the candle, and smiled happily to herself at her mother's little laugh. "Why, Ruthie dear! I should hope not. You know 'scold' is an ugly word.
The Merrill and Pernell houses were separated by a high brick wall, and each house stood near the street with broad gardens on each side as well as at the rear. The two friends went through the house, and out on a narrow porch and Ruth called, "Hero! Hero!" but there was no welcoming bark, no sight of the brown shepherd dog.
A Play by Gilbert Merrill for Mother's Birthday Cornwallis Begs For Mercy Cornwallis B. Hastings Washington G. Merrill Washington's Triumphant Army Enters Philadelphia Washington G. Merrill Lafayette R. Pernell Lady Washington Miss Winifred Merrill Army Band. Mrs. Merrill read the programme admiringly.
Pernell and Aunt Deborah both smiled their approval, thinking that the table for Betty, like Cecilia's chair, was to be made of pasteboard. "Thee must bring thy doll to Barren Hill," said Aunt Deborah. "There are fine places to play in the big barn and in the pine woods, and thy doll will be company for thee." "How soon may I visit Aunt Deborah, Mother?" Ruth asked eagerly.
She wondered if it really were Ruth Pernell who was answering the General's questions about the missing Hero.
Merrill's, to what he described as "a birthday surprise for my mother," Betty would doubtless have given up her part; but Gilbert had asked each guest to keep the invitation a secret; and it was probable that a surprise was in store for "Cornwallis" as well as for Gilbert's mother. Mrs. Pernell returned home from Germantown on the very morning of Mrs.
Pernell beside her when the round-faced smiling farmer in his long coat of heavy blue drilling and his wide-rimmed hat came driving up. "Where can Ruth be?" her mother said anxiously, as the farmer lifted Aunt Deborah's trunk into the back of the wagon and stood waiting to help her mount to the high seat.
Pernell had used his leisure hours in making frames for pictures, a work-box, desk or light-stand; and had collected this store of material from many sources. Ruth had often played about in the shed while her father was at work, but she had no idea of the value of his store of wood. "Oh, Winifred! Look!
"Why, Ruth Pernell!" exclaimed Winifred admiringly. "I don't know which is the most wonderful, your going to see General Howe, or your deciding to punish yourself. Begin at the time you reached the General's house and tell me everything up to now."
Ruth obeyed, stumbling a little as she reached the top. "And what name shall I say?" Dick asked, bowing very low. "Mistress Ruth Dilling ham Pernell, if you please, sir," Ruth replied, gaining a little courage, and trying to stand as tall as possible, hardly sure if the young soldier was really laughing at her, or if he believed her dress to be a proof of at least twenty years of experience.
Word Of The Day