ELSWORTH.  I hope, sir, that you will not be compelled to follow the example of your scholars, and turn soldier.

METCALF.  Never, sir.  I content myself with teaching the young idea how to shoot, without indulging in such dangerous practices myself.

ROSE. [From the window.] Why, there’s Harry—­father, Kate—­Harry is dismounting at the door.

ELSWORTH.  Bless me!  Is it possible?

[All gather around the window.

KATE.  It is, I declare—­and how splendid he looks.  Harry!  Harry!

[All salute him, and shake their handkerchiefs.

METCALF. [Aside to ROSE.] Hist!  Miss Elsworth!

ROSE.  Eh!

METCALF.  Walter is near—­a note—­

ROSE. [Seizing it, and reading hurriedly.] Will be with you to-day—­

KATE. [Looking towards right, at the window.] Doesn’t he look fine? 
There’s his step in the hall.

[They all go towards door.  ROSE conceals WALTER’S note.

HARRY. [Within.] Rose, Kate, father!

Enter LIEUTENANT HARRY ELSWORTH. All gather around him with exclamations of welcome.

METCALF. [Aside.] I’ll take occasion to steal down-stairs, and plague Bridget into a kiss or two.  Delicious Bridget!

[Exit METCALF.

ELSWORTH.  Harry!  My brave lad!

ROSE.  Dear brother!

HARRY.  Dear sister!  Father!

ELSWORTH.  Stand aside, girls.  Let me have a look at him.  Harry!  Harry!  You are a splendid-looking fellow, you are.  Ha, ha, ha!  Your hand, my boy.  You look like a soldier, sir.

HARRY.  I have good news for you.  I have just rode on before to acquaint you that Major Cleveland will honour your roof to-day.

ELSWORTH.  He shall be welcome—­open doors and open hands.

HARRY.  He will remain until to-morrow.  Now, girls, some of us young fellows are dying for a dance—­can’t we extemporize a ball?

ROSE.  Good gracious, Harry!  You will have to pit coat against coat—­where are your ladies?

HARRY.  Oh, we’d drum them up.  There are a dozen families within as many miles.

ROSE.  A mad idea.

HARRY.  A wild one, I confess.

ELSWORTH.  It would be a suitable festivity in honour of our Long
Island victory.  Come girls, you have my consent.

Enter SERVANT, announcing CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG.

Enter CAPTAIN WALTER ARMSTRONG.

ALL [but ROSE].  Captain Armstrong!

ARMSTRONG.  Captain Armstrong!

ALL [but ROSE].  In the Continental service?

ARMSTRONG.  In the Continental service!

ELSWORTH.  I am somewhat surprised, sir, at this visit.  When you were a loyal gentleman my doors were always open to you—­now, in that dress, I cannot consent to receive your visits.  In happier moments you were a companion of my daughters—­a friend of my son—­you have selected a course which must terminate that connection with my family.