"General Prescott had his quarters in the Bannister House, and it is said that his spacious sidewalk in front was made of stepstones taken from private houses, and the whole of the south flight of steps from those belonging to the State-house."
"I don't see in what respect he was any better than a thief and a robber!" cried Lucilla indignantly.
"No, nor do I," said her father; "but we must remember that some of the British officers were a very different kind of men and would not have at all approved of his doings. Prescott, as we all know, was a great coward, and cowardice and cruelty are apt to go together."
"Our Washington was very, very brave and never at all cruel," remarked little Elsie. "Papa, was he ever here?"
"He was in Newport more than once. His last visit was paid while he was President of these United States in August, 1790. He was escorted to the Brenton House, the principal hotel of the place; a dinner was given him in the representative chamber of the State-house, at which thirteen regular toasts were drunk, Washington giving one--'The town of Newport.' He left before the rest of the company, and then Judge Marchant gave the toast, 'The man we love.'"
"Oh, I like that!" said the little girl, her eyes sparkling. "I think everybody must love Washington--everybody but the British."
"And even some of the British have admired him very much," said her father, smiling at her enthusiasm.
"And given him high praise," added Walter. "I for one am proud of being his countryman."
All had now finished their breakfast, and leaving the table they repaired to the adjoining cottage, exchanged greetings with its occupants, then together they held their morning service, after which they arranged their plans for the day.
"As this is Saturday and I leave for Princeton on Tuesday next, I have only to-day and Monday for looking about and seeing places of interest in this neighborhood," remarked Walter.
"How and where do you want to go?" asked Mr. Embury.
"Down to the beaches, to all the places connected with the doings of Bishop Berkeley and the Revolution, all about Paradise Valley, and--to look at Purgatory; but not to get into it," replied the lad, concluding with a slight laugh.