They were unpolished people in many ways, but so kindly and hospitable that Peggy felt at home at once. The community was famed for its love of liberty, and was later denounced by Cornwallis as “a hornet’s nest.” It was here, five years previous to this time, that the spirit of resistance to tyranny found expression in the famous “Mecklenburg resolutions.” In this congenial environment Peggy was as near to happiness as it was possible for her to be so far from her kindred. One thing that added to her felicity was the fact that Charlotte was directly on the route running through Virginia and thence north to Philadelphia, which before the Revolution had been used as a stage line.
“If only I had Star,” she would cry wistfully, “I would try to get home. If only I had Star!”
One morning in the early autumn Mistress Egan called Peggy, and said to her, in much the same manner that her mother would have used:
“I want you to put on your prettiest frock, Peggy. Ma’s going to have a company here for the day. The men are to help pa gather the corn while the women take off a quilt. The young folks will come to-night for the corn-husking, but I reckon there won’t be a girl that can hold a candle to my little Quakeress. The boys will all want you to find the red ear.”
“Is that the reason there hath been so much cooking going on, Friend Mandy? Methought there was a deal of preparation just for the family.”
“There’s a powerful sight to be done yet,” observed Mistress Egan.
“Then do let me help,” pleaded Peggy. “Thee spoils me. Truly thee does. Why, at home I helped mother in everything.”
The guests came early, as was the custom when there was work to be done. The men rode horseback with their wives behind them on pillions, and with rifles held in the hollow of their left arms; for it was the practice in those trying times to bear arms even upon visits of business or friendship. Soon a company of two score or more had gathered at the farmhouse. Greetings exchanged, the men hastened to the cornfields to gather the new corn, while the women clustered about the quilting frames, and fingers plied the needles busily, while tongues clacked a merry accompaniment.
The morning passed quickly, and at noon the gay party had just seated themselves around the table where a bountiful dinner steamed, when they were startled by a shout from the yard.