"Fie, fie, sly ladybird," called out Sir John's wife, "here are friends
of yours!"
At sight of us, she uttered a little gasp of pleasure.
"So--so--so joysome to see Boston folk," she stammered.
"Fie, fie!" laughed Lady Kirke. "Doth Boston air bring red so quick to
all faces?"
"If they be not painted too deep," said Pierre Radisson loud and
distinct. And I doubt not the coquettish old dame blushed red, though
the depth of paint hid it from our eyes; for she held her tongue long
enough for me to lead Rebecca to an alcove window.
Some men are born to jump in sudden-made gaps. Such an one was Pierre
Radisson; for he set himself between his wife and Lady Kirke, where he
kept them achattering so fast they had no time to note little Rebecca's
unmasked confusion.
"This is an unexpected pleasure, Rebecca!"
She glanced up as if to question me.
"Your fine gallants have so many fine speeches----"
"Have you been here long?"
"A month. My father came to see about the furs that Ben Gillam lost in
the bay," explains Rebecca.
"Oh!" said I, vouching no more.
"The ship was sent back," continues Rebecca, all innocent of the nature
of her father's venture, "and my father hopes that King Charles may get
the French to return the value of the furs.
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