" When alone with
the children, however, or in the woods and fields, she would doff
her Quaker primness, and romp, climb trees, and frolic with the
wildest.
But of late, the troublous times and her father's peril had
brought unwonted thoughtfulness into her blue eyes, and more than
Quaker gravity to the fresh young face, which, in spite of
exposure to sun and wind, maintained much of its inherited
fairness of complexion. Of her own accord she was becoming a
vigilant sentinel, for a rumor had reached Mr. Reynolds that
sooner or later he would have a visit from the dreaded mountain
gang of hard riders. Two roads leading to the hills converged on
the main highway not far from his dwelling; and from an adjacent
knoll Phebe often watched this place, while her father, with a lad
in his employ, completed their work about the barn. When the
shadows deepened, all was made as secure as possible without and
within, and the sturdy farmer, after committing himself and his
household to the Divine protection, slept as only brave men sleep
who are clear in conscience and accustomed to danger.
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