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Ingelow, Jean, 1820-1897

"Fated to Be Free"

You can see by it
that he abdicated in 1556. Miss Crampton used to wonder at our having
become so clever with our dates all on a sudden. And there's one that
Mr. Brandon made. You see those ships? That is a picture of Boston
harbour (Cray's Boston). If you were nearer, you could see them pouring
something over their sides into the water, using the harbour for a
teapot. On their pennons is written, 'Tea _of_ King George's _own_
making.' Oh, Cray! what is that noise?" Silence, a crunching of decided
step coming on fast and firmly; the faces of the party fell.
"It's all up!" sighed Crayshaw.
Somebody shook the door at the foot of the stairs; then a voice rang
through the place like a silver trumpet, "Johnnie."
"Yes, father," answered Johnnie in the loud, melancholy tone not
unfrequently used by a boy when he succumbs to lawful authority.
"What are you about, sir? What are you thinking of? Come down this
moment, and open the door."
One of the little boys had been already dispatched down-stairs, and was
turning the key. In another instant John Mortimer, coming quickly up
beheld the party seated on the floor, looking very foolish, and Mrs.


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