There are days when the future looks dark and I hope that your answer will break the clouds that hang over it." So ran a part of the letter, colored somewhat by the diplomacy of a shrewd mother, one would say who read it carefully.

The neighbors had heard of its arrival and many of them dropped in that evening, but they went home none the wiser.

After the company had gone, Jack showed the letter to his father and mother.
"My boy, it is a time to stand firm," said his father.
"I think so, too," the boy answered.
"Are you still in love with her ?" his mother asked.
The boy blushed as he looked down into the fire and did not answer.
"She is a pretty miss," the woman went on.

"But if you have to choose between her and liberty, what will you say ?" "I can answer for Jack," said John Irons.

"He will say that we in America will give up father and mother and home and life and everything we hold dear for the love of liberty." "Of course I could not be a Tory," Jack declared.