“My orders were to put myself under the directions of General Putnam until such time as the commander-in-chief arrived.”

Hyde seemed quite delighted at this. As for Henderson, he slapped his thigh.

“Now, there is luck!” cried he. “I told you, major, that something of the kind must be so. And he’ll be just the fellow for us.”

But Major Hyde motioned for him to be quiet.

“Don’t be quite so ready,” said he. “Perhaps Mr. Prentiss has plans of his own.”

He then turned to George once more.

“You see,” said he, “some of us have grown tired of tavern fare and tavern company;[136] and we have engaged a house in Wall Street, ready furnished and with a black fellow as cook——”

[136]

“And such talent!” interrupted the young dragoon, who evidently loved fine food almost as well as he did fine clothes. “Never was there such a cook before. In his hands even so common an article as a joint of beef becomes a thing almost ethereal.”

“I will not go quite so far as that,” laughed the major, “but I will say that we are circumstanced most comfortably. There are four of us, and there is room for one more. Henderson and I have discussed the matter and made up our minds that we owe you something to make amends for a rather boorish greeting the other day. We’d be pleased to have you join us in this venture, and can assure you of greater convenience than you’ll get at an inn.”

But George shook his head.

“It will be but a few days, now,” said he, “before the main body of the army arrives; and my employment will then be such that I’ll not know from one day to another where I shall be. Another thing, I have some close[137] friends with the Massachusetts troops; and shall quarter with them at such times as I shall be disengaged.”

[137]

“Oh, see here now,” said the foppish dragoon, “this is most unforgiving of you, ’pon my soul it is.”

“I’m very sorry,” said Hyde, whose disappointment was better tempered, but equally keen. “We had all but counted upon you.” He studied George for a moment, and then added: “But you can come and dine with us now and then, can you not? We shall be pleased to see you at any time.”

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