A Stand for Independence. Valerie Tripp
slowly carried the guitar to Grandfather. Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Grandfather,” she whispered. “Please forgive me. I am so sorry.”
Grandfather took the guitar and touched the bedraggled ribbon. He frowned. “I was wrong to bring the guitar here,” he said. “I see now that you are too young to be trusted with something so valuable.”
“Go to bed, Felicity,” said Father. “Think about what you have done.”
Felicity started to go. She wanted to run from the room, run from the house, and never face any of them ever again. But she made herself stop and turn around. “Father,” she said. “Please listen to me.”
Mr. Merriman nodded. “What is it?” he asked.
Felicity took a deep breath. “When I went back to the Coles’ house to fetch the guitar just now, I heard Mr. Cole talking to a British officer. The officer said that…” Mother, Father, and Grandfather were frowning at her, but Felicity forced herself to go on. “The officer said that British marines would come tonight to take the gunpowder out of the Magazine. And Mr. Cole said it was stealing, but—”
“Stop!” growled Grandfather. His eyes were dark as thunderclouds. “Stop this wild talk! ’Tis foolish, irresponsible, shameful! Stop it, I say!” He shook his head in anger. “Felicity, I am sorely disappointed in you!”
Felicity was rigid with shame.
Father sighed. “Felicity, how can you expect us to believe such a tale?” he asked. “You have shown yourself to be dishonest and irresponsible in the matter of the guitar. How can we possibly trust you?”
“But Father,” Felicity said, “I did hear them! I did!”
Father held up his hand. “Don’t disgrace yourself further by spreading wild falsehoods, especially about such serious matters,” he said sternly. “Go now. We have heard enough from you for one evening.”
The Long, Dark Night
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