..Under the crown, American history; . US to the outbreak of the Revolution^ the Callendars were Royalists, and GeneralGages young British officers, one of whom wasrelated to the Callendars, frequently rode outfrom Boston to call at the hospitable countryhouse. It was Polly Callendar whom they wentto see; her beauty and vivacious wit were thetheme of many toasts. And up to the eveningof this story Polly was as disdainful of theminutemen as was her mother. At about noon of that day Madam Callendarwas summoned to the bedside of ElizabethBallard, a kinswoman living near Natick. Shehad left her br
..Under the crown, American history; . US to the outbreak of the Revolution^ the Callendars were Royalists, and GeneralGages young British officers, one of whom wasrelated to the Callendars, frequently rode outfrom Boston to call at the hospitable countryhouse. It was Polly Callendar whom they wentto see; her beauty and vivacious wit were thetheme of many toasts. And up to the eveningof this story Polly was as disdainful of theminutemen as was her mother. At about noon of that day Madam Callendarwas summoned to the bedside of ElizabethBallard, a kinswoman living near Natick. Shehad left her brick oven full of the weeks baking,and had set a large brass kettle, filled withredwood dye, on the crane in the great fireplace. Numerous skeins and hanks of woolen yarn,spun during the previous winter, were immersedin it, and the last warning from Pollys motherwas: Redwood must never be hurried, often, lass. Press the hanks down hardwith your clothes-stick, and then drop in a littleof this powdered alum to set the POLLY CALLENDAR. 175 So through the long, foggy afternoon it wasPolly Callendars homely task to watch the ovenand tend the scarlet kettle. But with eveningcame an unexpected diversion. A knock washeard at the outer door; and when old Rastus,the negro servant, hadopened it, a tall youngman, in provincial garb,inquired how far it was TV 1 1 y^J&^l^^^^ HOW FAR ? to Boston and whatwas the road. Learning that the distance wasstill considerable, he entreated hospitality, sayingthat having ridden since dawn, he was bothtired and wet. Polly at first demurred, but inthe end, persuaded somewhat by his respectfulmanners and handsome face, she sent Rastusto stable the horse. She spread a plentiful supper before the way-farer ; and then, because his appearance pleasedher, she brewed for him some of her motherscherished tea, and poured it into one of thedelicate china teacups that had come fromEngland. But the young man ate in silence, notwith-standing these a
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