She is our only child and you can scarcely blame me if I balk at a marriage which promises to turn her away from us and fill our family with dissension.' "'May we not respect each other and disagree in politics ?' I asked.
"'In politics, yes, but not in war.

I begin to see danger of war and that is full of the bitterness of death.

If Doctor Franklin will do what he can to reestablish loyalty and order in the colonies my fear will he removed and I shall welcome you to my family.' "I began to show a glint of intelligence and said: 'If the ministers will cooperate it will not be difficult.' "'The ministers will do anything it is in their power to do.' "Then the timely entrance of Margaret and her mother.
"'I suppose that I shall shock my father but I can not help it,' said the girl as she kissed me.
"You may be sure that I had my part in that game.

She stood beside me, her arm around my waist and mine around her shoulders.
"'Father, can you blame me for loving this big, splendid hero who saved us from the Indians and the bandits?
It is unlike you to be such a hardened wretch.

But for him you would have neither wife nor daughter.' "She put it on thick but I held my peace as I have done many a time in the presence of a woman's cunning.