Mr.Washington announced his Excellency's speedy approach, with Mr.Franklin of Pennsylvania in his coach.
This Mr.Franklin had been a common printer's boy, Mrs.Esmond had heard; a pretty pass things were coming to when such persons rode in the coach of the Commander-in-Chief! Mr.Washington said, a more shrewd and sensible gentleman never rode in coach or walked on foot.

Mrs.Esmond thought the Major was too liberally disposed towards this gentleman; but Mr.Washington stoutly maintained against the widow that the printer was a most ingenious, useful, and meritorious man.
"I am glad, at least, that, as my boy is going to make the campaign, he will not be with tradesmen, but with gentlemen, with gentlemen of honour and fashion," says Madam Esmond, in her most stately manner.
Mr.Washington had seen the gentlemen of honour and fashion over their cups, and perhaps thought that all their sayings and doings were not precisely such as would tend to instruct or edify a young man on his entrance into life; but he wisely chose to tell no tales out of school, and said that Harry and George, now they were coming into the world, must take their share of good and bad, and hear what both sorts had to say.
"To be with a veteran officer of the finest army in the world," faltered the widow; "with gentlemen who have been bred in the midst of the Court; with friends of his Royal Highness, the Duke----" The widow's friend only inclined his head.

He did not choose to allow his countenance to depart from its usual handsome gravity.
"And with you, dear Colonel Washington, by whom my father always set such store.

You don't know how much he trusted in you.

You will take care of my boy, sir, will not you?
You are but five years older, yet I trust to you more than to his seniors; my father always told the children, I alway bade them, to look up to Mr.Washington." "You know I would have done anything to win Colonel Esmond's favour.
Madam, how much would I not venture to merit his daughter's ?" The gentleman bowed with not too ill a grace.