They trailed along behind Will and Jack.

     They turned onto a street filled with large, luxurious mansions.Will led the way to the closest one to them, opened a gate, and gestured for them to enter. They walked along a path made of loose pebbles and walked up a set of marble steps.

     The instant that Jack opened the door, a short, stout woman with a huge powdered wig and a silky, lace-trimmed dress rushed into the front hall.

    "I heard all about the fight, and I was soooo worried about you!" she burst out. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

   "We're fine, Mother," Will answered.

  The lady pulled him down to her level and pecked him quickly on the cheek. "Good! I was hoping you would look decent for the governor and his daughters."

   Will almost blushed. "Oh, right."

   Jack backed away. "I'm just gonna go freshen up..."

  She bustled over. "Now, Jackson..."

  "Jackson Daniel Jefferson!" A tall, slim man, quite the contrast to the lady, strode out of a nearby room. "Why is your Latin assignment unfinished? I am most displeased! And-" He started upon seeing Karay, Alex,and Gemima. "Where did you attract those three ragamuffins? Throw them out!"

  Gemima stepped forward indignantly. "We are not ragamuffins! We got lost in the woods, and a pair of soldiers chased us to this city when we were-trying to figure something out. Will saved us from being arrested because the soldiers said we were redcoats-and we aren't-and he and Jack brought us here because we had not other place to go!"

  The man drew up stiffly. "Stop the impertinence and go! Now!"

  The lady pushed her way over to him. "Officer Jefferson, where is our hospitality? They're three lost children!"

  Alex winced as she emphasized the word children.

  Gemima raised her eyebrow as she folded her arms.

  "Ah, excuse me-" Karay began.

  "Listen to me, officer Jefferson," the lady said as she rose her voice to a shrill level," they couldn't be more than eleven or twelve. You can't throw them out! Let us house them for a   few days, and then we'll see of they need to be thrown out. All right?"

  Officer Jefferson backed down. "A few days, then. They can stay for as long as they need to, if they behave."