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Thomas Martin stepped out onto the porch into the sunlight. The sun filtered down in the harsh heat and surrounded him, bathing his skin in it's warm glow. His green eyes sparkled in the sun as he stepped onto the porch. He sighed and sat down on the steps, his head in his hands. He was bored. The mail had come but he couldn't see the letters till his Father came back. He wished that he could see them now. It was so unfair. There could be news about the war about the enlistments. Maybe even some of Gabriel's friends had left. Why was it so boring here? "Nothing ever happens here. I wish something exciting would happen. Even something small. Anything!" He mumbled in his arms. He sighed again, but a figure in the distance caught his attention. He squinted towards the figure heading down the dusty road and stood.
"Meg! Hannah's here!" He called to his sister from across the porch. She stood excitedly and began to rush down the dust road, small William on her heels. Out of the house rushed Samuel and Nathan and they catapolted off the stairs and onto the dirt. Samuel fell onto his knees laughing, but quickly rose and took after his brother. Thomas grinned and half ran, half walked towards his siblings. He turned around and saw Gabriel casually step out onto the porch. "It's Hannah. You coming?" He asked eyeing his brother with a smile. "I just wanted to see what all the ruckus was about, nothing much. I was just checking things out." Thomas laughed and shook his head at his brother's pretended unconcern. He often thought his eighteen year old brother's attempts at being a man quite humorous, especially when he knew he was just as excited to see her as he was.
When he finally caught up to them, Hannah was already being swarmed by his siblings. Hannah was his age, of a medium height and brown gold hair. Her eyes were as blue as his were green, sparkling like a prism whenever the sun hit them. Though she was a few years older than his sister Margaret, the age difference never bothered her. She had practically grown up with the Martin family, though she didn't know the reason for the closeness. She lifted her head and grinned at him as he approached. Suddenly he found himself acting like Gabriel, pretending to be unconcerned with all the goings on, even though he really was. He smiled and watched her as she threw a bag on the ground.
"You know where I've been the last couple months don't you?" She asked with a smile. "Williamsburg!" The younger children shouted to her amusement. "Yes. And I just happened to bring you back a few things. Incidentally." She said looking at Thomas over the children's heads. "Incidentally." He remarked with a smile. "Youngest goes first. Here William, this is for you." Hannah pulled out a small bag, much to William's happiness. "Thank you Hannah! Now me an' Samuel kin play marbles! An' I'm gonna beat him 'cause my marbles will be lucky ones!" He said automatically, looking at his brother. Samuel sighed.
"Margaret, for you." Margaret's breath caught in her throat as she looked at the pretty combs in the wooden box. "I thought that you should have something special, now that you're getting to be all grown up." Hannah said softly. Thomas looked at them closer and noticed a peculiar sign on the handles of the combs. "And you got the North Star put on them! You didn't forget!" Margaret whispered as she hugged Hannah. "How could I forget my best friend's wish?" She whispered back. "Now, for Samuel and Nathan. I didn't bring you anything. Nothing whatsoever." The boys rolled their eyes and looked at her, not fooled for a moment.
"Fine, fine. Maybe I got you something. Here, don't break them first day." She warned as she pulled out a bag and handed it to them. "Hannah! This is wonderful! How did you know we broke our kites already?" Nathan asked. "I was there remember?" Hannah said with a smile. "Oh yes, I remember. That was when the kite wouldn't stay up in the air and it accidentally fell on your head." Nathan said with a smile that said it was no accident. Thomas smothered the laugh that threatened to burst out as he remembered the incident. "What's going on here? Oh hello Hannah. I didn't see you come." Gabriel said cooly, walking up behind Thomas. "You did too! I heard you running down the stairs like a herd of buffalo. Come on Samuel. Let's go set up the kites." Nathan said knowingly. Gabriel shook his head. "I don't know what he's talking about really." Hannah smiled.
"Then I guess you won't oppose to receiving a present?" She asked solemnly, but with a twinkle still in her eye. "Well, if you've got it I might as well see it." He said warily, eyeing the bag. Hannah rolled her eyes and dug into the bag, pulling out a wooden box. "I thought that maybe you would be able to use this sometime." Gabriel frowned and opened the box. His eyes opened wide as he examined the contents of the box. "It's, it's," Gabriel stuttered, Thomas's eyes growing equally wide as he saw the contents. "It's called a hatchet, just in case you couldn't remember." Hannah teased, obviously pleased with his reaction. "Hannah, I mean, where, why?" Gabriel stuttered, picking up the hatchet carefully. "Well I got it in Williamsburg when Father was campaigning. As to the why, I thought you might need it if there really is going to be as long a war as some people seem to think." Hannah said, her eyes dimming at the idea of war.
"Thank you Hannah. First I've gotta get Father's permission to even BE in the war. Thank you so much." Gabriel said thankfully. Then he turned and pinched her cheek. "Oh don't do that Gabriel! It makes me think that I'm four and have no brain at all." Hannah said disdainfully. "That's why I did it." He laughed. "I'm gonna go show Father!" Gabriel said, running off. Only Thomas and Hannah were left and Thomas gazed at her expectantly. "Why are you still hanging around?" Hannah asked, tilting her head up slightly. Thomas smiled. "Waiting for whatever you have for me in that bag." He countered. Hannah sighed and reached into the bag, then stopped. "Close your eyes and hold out your hands." Thomas sighed. "Hannah I'm not a child you must understand. Don't do this now." He said. Hannah looked at him pleadingly and he rolled his eyes, but closed them and held out his hands. Hannah grinned and took the objects and laid them in his hands.
"Alright. You may open." Hannah said, holding her breath in excitement. Thomas' green eyes went wide with surprise and pleasure. He ripped open the cloth bag in his hands and he grinned. "Soldiers." He said, lifting one up between his two fingers and showing them to her. She smiled and nodded. "A whole set of soldiers! Even better than my old ones. And, and paint!" He said excitedly, picking up each object and looking at them. "Yes. I thought you'd enjoy them, so I got them." She said easing closer to look at the objects. "You did NOT think I'd enjoy them. You knew that I'd love them. Thank you Hannah. Thank you so much. It's more than I'd want you to spend on me. It must have cost a fortune." Hannah smiled and placed her finger contemplatively on her chin. "You know, that's the good thing about being an only child of rich parents." Thomas grinned and chuckled as the two began to walk back to the house.
Benjamin Martin stood on the steps with his children, looking at their presents with interested and pleased eyes. As Thomas approached him, he looked up and smiled. "Well what did you get this time Thomas?" He asked, peering into the bag and pulling out one of the soldiers. "A whole fleet of soldiers. Practically a battalion!" Thomas said excitedly, reaching his hands into the soldiers and pulling out one. "See, the colonel. I wonder what it would be like to see a colonel. I'm not sure I'd like to see one of a British fleet, but still. I'd like to see one." Thomas said dreamily. "Let's pray to God you don't. Hello Hannah." Benjamin said, turning his attention on his guest. "Hello Mister Martin. It's a pleasure to see you again." She said, her eyes shining as she gazed upon him. "Father, may I?" Thomas asked aloud, his eyes asking Benjamin his question. He sighed and waved his hand.
"Yes, go on. But be careful." He said. "Don't worry, we will." Thomas said, turning to Hannah. "C'mon Hannah. I want to show you something." Thomas said excitedly. Hannah grinned and delicately lifted her skirts so she could catch up to his fast pace. Benjamin watched them with a smile before turning back to William's excited chatter about his marbles. Thomas stopped at the corral and sat on the fence, waiting for Hannah to catch up. "Why can't you just run like normal people?" Thomas asked with a smile as Hannah sat on the top rung of the fence delicately. "Because, I've got to act like I have some dignity. If any." Thomas nodded. "Well what did you bring me to see?" Hannah asked. Thomas pointed his hand towards the end of the corral. Hannah gasped and she stood up slightly as a large silky black horse eased towards them.
"Oh Thomas! He's just, just beautiful!" Hannah said, reaching her hand out to the horse's nose. "Yes, a bit feisty but still beautiful." Thomas said with a sigh. "What's his name?" Hannah asked, still entranced with the creature. "He doesn't have one." Hannah turned to him with a frown. "Don't be silly. A beautiful creature like this must have name." Thomas shook his head. "No. Father says that unless we can somehow ride him, he's going to have to take him to auction. He doesn't think that he should give him a name because then we would get too attached to him." Thomas said, placing his hand on the horse's nose. "That's not right. I can ride him." Hannah said stubbornly. "Ha! YOU Hannah? Why Hannah you know you couldn't. Anyway, what about your precious dignity?" Thomas asked, his eyes twinkling. "I was going to ask you to put on the side saddle, thank you very much." Hannah retorted. "Sure you were. Looked to me like you were just going to jump him bareback." Thomas remarked as he eased off the fence and went back to the barn.
After he had saddled the horse, he helped Hannah up gently. "Now, I don't want you to get hurt. He'll only trot, do not try to get him to gallop or get him going to a fast trot, otherwise he'll go crazy." Thomas warned. Hannah smiled and coaxed the horse forward, her dress blowing slightly in the wind. Then she coaxed him to go a little faster, then a little more. "Hannah! Hannah slow him down!" Thomas yelled as he began to run after the horse. The horse began to gain speed with Hannah still on him and before long, he began to gallop. "Hannah! Stop him!" Thomas yelled. "Hannah! Look out!" He yelled as the horse headed near a large oak tree, whose branches spread treachorously near the ground. Thomas watched in horror as the horse ran straight towards the branches and he lost sight of Hannah's body as they went past. "No." He whispered as he watched the horse turn and come back towards him slowly. At the last minute, Hannah's dizzy head popped up from behind the horse's neck.
"Wonderful ride there Thomas. Now, would you be so kind as to help me down?" Hannah asked, almost falling off the horse. Thomas helped her down and held her up against the horse, his green eyes blazing. "What did you think you were doing? Are you stupid? You could have died! Don't do that to me!" He said angrily, shoving away from her and sitting up against the fence. Hannah watched him in silence, her face pressed against the horse's face lovingly. Then she walked over to him, leading the horse behind her. "I, I'm sorry Thomas. I thought you'd know I'd be alright." Thomas turned around and stared at her. "Hannah, you could have been killed. You gave me the fright of my life. You just, I don't understand why you insist on taking risks like that." Thomas said. Hannah frowned and looked at him sternly. "You shouldn't talk about taking risks, Mister I-want-to-join-the-army-at-thirteen." Hannah retorted. Thomas rolled his eyes and turned to her. "That's different. I'm a man and should enter the army to help the Cause." Hannah scoffed. "Man? Ha! More like a boy! You're only thirteen! Not even old enough to be in the army and yet you talk about it like a foolish peasant wishing for a mansion!" Hannah said angrily.
"Don't talk about whether or not I'm old enough to join the army! I hear enough lectures from Father and enough whining from Gabriel to last me a lifetime! I don't need to hear it from you too Hannah!" Thomas returned. Hannah stared hard at him and sighed. "I don't want to fight. Not now. Let's talk about something else." She said. "Yes lets." Thomas said quickly, staring off into the pastures and sinking sun. "I'm sorry Thomas. I shouldn't take such liberties with my words. Forgive me." Hannah said, looking off in another direction. Thomas turned to her and smiled faintly. "Don't worry. You don't need to practice your mother's etiquette with me." He said. Hannah smiled back at him and sighed contentedly. "Well, do I get to name him?" Hannah asked. Thomas frowned. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Well your father said that if someone could ride him, you'd keep him. So can I name him?" She asked. Thomas smiled. "If anyone deserves to name him it's you." He said, beginning to walk off towards the barn.
Hannah followed him in silence before she spoke up. "I know. I'll call him Patriot." Thomas laughed aloud. "Why pray tell Miss Ross?" Thomas asked, a smile playing about his lips. "Because, he reminds me of our boys out there. Running as fast as they can to be free from the king of England, taking chances for his country. That's why." Hannah said, locking the door of the horse's stall and standing by it. "Well it's a right good name I suppose." Thomas said. The two of them began to head back into the fields and walked towards the house slowly. Not far away, Nathan and Samuel stood on the porch, an eyeglass in Nathan's hands.
"C'mon Nathan! Lemme see now!" Samuel whined. "Wait your turn Sam! I'm trying to see them clearly." Nathan said, waving him off. "I don't see why we're doing this. They know Father wouldn't let them court each other now! They're too young." Samuel said, taking a grab at the eyeglass. "I know that Samuel. Stop it! But love always comes before courting. And that's what I'm trying to find out. Oh my goodness! Are they holding hands?" Nathan said suddenly, causing Samuel to jump up and grasp for the eyeglass. "Lemme see! They are not! C'mon Nathan!" Samuel said excitedly. "False alarm. They aren't." Nathan said with a smile. Samuel, who did not enjoy the joke, frowned. "What are you doing out here?" The boys turned around to face their sister Margaret. "Nothing Meg. Just looking at the stars." Nathan stuttered. Margaret looked at them skeptically. "There aren't any stars yet Nathan. Now just tell me what you're up to." She said, placing her small hands on her hips.
"Well, we think that Thomas and Hannah are falling in love and we're just looking for signs." Samuel said matter-of-factly. Nathan groaned and smacked Samuel's arm. "You leave Hannah alone. She's my best friend! And she is NOT falling in love with Thomas!" Margaret said, irritation rising in her voice as she grabbed for the eyeglass. "No you don't! If you're good, you can watch too." Nathan said, holding the eyeglass just out of reach. "Watch what?" The boys jumped at the sound of Thomas' voice behind them. They turned around and smiled. "Oh nothing, just the lovely sunset we're having. That's all." Nathan explained quickly. Margaret sighed and rolled her eyes. "You had better come in. Supper's ready." The boys dashed into the house before further questions could be asked. Thomas and Hannah eyed each other knowingly and then the boys before walking in the house.
Thomas Martin stepped out onto the porch into the sunlight. The sun filtered down in the harsh heat and surrounded him, bathing his skin in it's warm glow. His green eyes sparkled in the sun as he stepped onto the porch. He sighed and sat down on the steps, his head in his hands. He was bored. The mail had come but he couldn't see the letters till his Father came back. He wished that he could see them now. It was so unfair. There could be news about the war about the enlistments. Maybe even some of Gabriel's friends had left. Why was it so boring here? "Nothing ever happens here. I wish something exciting would happen. Even something small. Anything!" He mumbled in his arms. He sighed again, but a figure in the distance caught his attention. He squinted towards the figure heading down the dusty road and stood.
"Meg! Hannah's here!" He called to his sister from across the porch. She stood excitedly and began to rush down the dust road, small William on her heels. Out of the house rushed Samuel and Nathan and they catapolted off the stairs and onto the dirt. Samuel fell onto his knees laughing, but quickly rose and took after his brother. Thomas grinned and half ran, half walked towards his siblings. He turned around and saw Gabriel casually step out onto the porch. "It's Hannah. You coming?" He asked eyeing his brother with a smile. "I just wanted to see what all the ruckus was about, nothing much. I was just checking things out." Thomas laughed and shook his head at his brother's pretended unconcern. He often thought his eighteen year old brother's attempts at being a man quite humorous, especially when he knew he was just as excited to see her as he was.
When he finally caught up to them, Hannah was already being swarmed by his siblings. Hannah was his age, of a medium height and brown gold hair. Her eyes were as blue as his were green, sparkling like a prism whenever the sun hit them. Though she was a few years older than his sister Margaret, the age difference never bothered her. She had practically grown up with the Martin family, though she didn't know the reason for the closeness. She lifted her head and grinned at him as he approached. Suddenly he found himself acting like Gabriel, pretending to be unconcerned with all the goings on, even though he really was. He smiled and watched her as she threw a bag on the ground.
"You know where I've been the last couple months don't you?" She asked with a smile. "Williamsburg!" The younger children shouted to her amusement. "Yes. And I just happened to bring you back a few things. Incidentally." She said looking at Thomas over the children's heads. "Incidentally." He remarked with a smile. "Youngest goes first. Here William, this is for you." Hannah pulled out a small bag, much to William's happiness. "Thank you Hannah! Now me an' Samuel kin play marbles! An' I'm gonna beat him 'cause my marbles will be lucky ones!" He said automatically, looking at his brother. Samuel sighed.
"Margaret, for you." Margaret's breath caught in her throat as she looked at the pretty combs in the wooden box. "I thought that you should have something special, now that you're getting to be all grown up." Hannah said softly. Thomas looked at them closer and noticed a peculiar sign on the handles of the combs. "And you got the North Star put on them! You didn't forget!" Margaret whispered as she hugged Hannah. "How could I forget my best friend's wish?" She whispered back. "Now, for Samuel and Nathan. I didn't bring you anything. Nothing whatsoever." The boys rolled their eyes and looked at her, not fooled for a moment.
"Fine, fine. Maybe I got you something. Here, don't break them first day." She warned as she pulled out a bag and handed it to them. "Hannah! This is wonderful! How did you know we broke our kites already?" Nathan asked. "I was there remember?" Hannah said with a smile. "Oh yes, I remember. That was when the kite wouldn't stay up in the air and it accidentally fell on your head." Nathan said with a smile that said it was no accident. Thomas smothered the laugh that threatened to burst out as he remembered the incident. "What's going on here? Oh hello Hannah. I didn't see you come." Gabriel said cooly, walking up behind Thomas. "You did too! I heard you running down the stairs like a herd of buffalo. Come on Samuel. Let's go set up the kites." Nathan said knowingly. Gabriel shook his head. "I don't know what he's talking about really." Hannah smiled.
"Then I guess you won't oppose to receiving a present?" She asked solemnly, but with a twinkle still in her eye. "Well, if you've got it I might as well see it." He said warily, eyeing the bag. Hannah rolled her eyes and dug into the bag, pulling out a wooden box. "I thought that maybe you would be able to use this sometime." Gabriel frowned and opened the box. His eyes opened wide as he examined the contents of the box. "It's, it's," Gabriel stuttered, Thomas's eyes growing equally wide as he saw the contents. "It's called a hatchet, just in case you couldn't remember." Hannah teased, obviously pleased with his reaction. "Hannah, I mean, where, why?" Gabriel stuttered, picking up the hatchet carefully. "Well I got it in Williamsburg when Father was campaigning. As to the why, I thought you might need it if there really is going to be as long a war as some people seem to think." Hannah said, her eyes dimming at the idea of war.
"Thank you Hannah. First I've gotta get Father's permission to even BE in the war. Thank you so much." Gabriel said thankfully. Then he turned and pinched her cheek. "Oh don't do that Gabriel! It makes me think that I'm four and have no brain at all." Hannah said disdainfully. "That's why I did it." He laughed. "I'm gonna go show Father!" Gabriel said, running off. Only Thomas and Hannah were left and Thomas gazed at her expectantly. "Why are you still hanging around?" Hannah asked, tilting her head up slightly. Thomas smiled. "Waiting for whatever you have for me in that bag." He countered. Hannah sighed and reached into the bag, then stopped. "Close your eyes and hold out your hands." Thomas sighed. "Hannah I'm not a child you must understand. Don't do this now." He said. Hannah looked at him pleadingly and he rolled his eyes, but closed them and held out his hands. Hannah grinned and took the objects and laid them in his hands.
"Alright. You may open." Hannah said, holding her breath in excitement. Thomas' green eyes went wide with surprise and pleasure. He ripped open the cloth bag in his hands and he grinned. "Soldiers." He said, lifting one up between his two fingers and showing them to her. She smiled and nodded. "A whole set of soldiers! Even better than my old ones. And, and paint!" He said excitedly, picking up each object and looking at them. "Yes. I thought you'd enjoy them, so I got them." She said easing closer to look at the objects. "You did NOT think I'd enjoy them. You knew that I'd love them. Thank you Hannah. Thank you so much. It's more than I'd want you to spend on me. It must have cost a fortune." Hannah smiled and placed her finger contemplatively on her chin. "You know, that's the good thing about being an only child of rich parents." Thomas grinned and chuckled as the two began to walk back to the house.
Benjamin Martin stood on the steps with his children, looking at their presents with interested and pleased eyes. As Thomas approached him, he looked up and smiled. "Well what did you get this time Thomas?" He asked, peering into the bag and pulling out one of the soldiers. "A whole fleet of soldiers. Practically a battalion!" Thomas said excitedly, reaching his hands into the soldiers and pulling out one. "See, the colonel. I wonder what it would be like to see a colonel. I'm not sure I'd like to see one of a British fleet, but still. I'd like to see one." Thomas said dreamily. "Let's pray to God you don't. Hello Hannah." Benjamin said, turning his attention on his guest. "Hello Mister Martin. It's a pleasure to see you again." She said, her eyes shining as she gazed upon him. "Father, may I?" Thomas asked aloud, his eyes asking Benjamin his question. He sighed and waved his hand.
"Yes, go on. But be careful." He said. "Don't worry, we will." Thomas said, turning to Hannah. "C'mon Hannah. I want to show you something." Thomas said excitedly. Hannah grinned and delicately lifted her skirts so she could catch up to his fast pace. Benjamin watched them with a smile before turning back to William's excited chatter about his marbles. Thomas stopped at the corral and sat on the fence, waiting for Hannah to catch up. "Why can't you just run like normal people?" Thomas asked with a smile as Hannah sat on the top rung of the fence delicately. "Because, I've got to act like I have some dignity. If any." Thomas nodded. "Well what did you bring me to see?" Hannah asked. Thomas pointed his hand towards the end of the corral. Hannah gasped and she stood up slightly as a large silky black horse eased towards them.
"Oh Thomas! He's just, just beautiful!" Hannah said, reaching her hand out to the horse's nose. "Yes, a bit feisty but still beautiful." Thomas said with a sigh. "What's his name?" Hannah asked, still entranced with the creature. "He doesn't have one." Hannah turned to him with a frown. "Don't be silly. A beautiful creature like this must have name." Thomas shook his head. "No. Father says that unless we can somehow ride him, he's going to have to take him to auction. He doesn't think that he should give him a name because then we would get too attached to him." Thomas said, placing his hand on the horse's nose. "That's not right. I can ride him." Hannah said stubbornly. "Ha! YOU Hannah? Why Hannah you know you couldn't. Anyway, what about your precious dignity?" Thomas asked, his eyes twinkling. "I was going to ask you to put on the side saddle, thank you very much." Hannah retorted. "Sure you were. Looked to me like you were just going to jump him bareback." Thomas remarked as he eased off the fence and went back to the barn.
After he had saddled the horse, he helped Hannah up gently. "Now, I don't want you to get hurt. He'll only trot, do not try to get him to gallop or get him going to a fast trot, otherwise he'll go crazy." Thomas warned. Hannah smiled and coaxed the horse forward, her dress blowing slightly in the wind. Then she coaxed him to go a little faster, then a little more. "Hannah! Hannah slow him down!" Thomas yelled as he began to run after the horse. The horse began to gain speed with Hannah still on him and before long, he began to gallop. "Hannah! Stop him!" Thomas yelled. "Hannah! Look out!" He yelled as the horse headed near a large oak tree, whose branches spread treachorously near the ground. Thomas watched in horror as the horse ran straight towards the branches and he lost sight of Hannah's body as they went past. "No." He whispered as he watched the horse turn and come back towards him slowly. At the last minute, Hannah's dizzy head popped up from behind the horse's neck.
"Wonderful ride there Thomas. Now, would you be so kind as to help me down?" Hannah asked, almost falling off the horse. Thomas helped her down and held her up against the horse, his green eyes blazing. "What did you think you were doing? Are you stupid? You could have died! Don't do that to me!" He said angrily, shoving away from her and sitting up against the fence. Hannah watched him in silence, her face pressed against the horse's face lovingly. Then she walked over to him, leading the horse behind her. "I, I'm sorry Thomas. I thought you'd know I'd be alright." Thomas turned around and stared at her. "Hannah, you could have been killed. You gave me the fright of my life. You just, I don't understand why you insist on taking risks like that." Thomas said. Hannah frowned and looked at him sternly. "You shouldn't talk about taking risks, Mister I-want-to-join-the-army-at-thirteen." Hannah retorted. Thomas rolled his eyes and turned to her. "That's different. I'm a man and should enter the army to help the Cause." Hannah scoffed. "Man? Ha! More like a boy! You're only thirteen! Not even old enough to be in the army and yet you talk about it like a foolish peasant wishing for a mansion!" Hannah said angrily.
"Don't talk about whether or not I'm old enough to join the army! I hear enough lectures from Father and enough whining from Gabriel to last me a lifetime! I don't need to hear it from you too Hannah!" Thomas returned. Hannah stared hard at him and sighed. "I don't want to fight. Not now. Let's talk about something else." She said. "Yes lets." Thomas said quickly, staring off into the pastures and sinking sun. "I'm sorry Thomas. I shouldn't take such liberties with my words. Forgive me." Hannah said, looking off in another direction. Thomas turned to her and smiled faintly. "Don't worry. You don't need to practice your mother's etiquette with me." He said. Hannah smiled back at him and sighed contentedly. "Well, do I get to name him?" Hannah asked. Thomas frowned. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Well your father said that if someone could ride him, you'd keep him. So can I name him?" She asked. Thomas smiled. "If anyone deserves to name him it's you." He said, beginning to walk off towards the barn.
Hannah followed him in silence before she spoke up. "I know. I'll call him Patriot." Thomas laughed aloud. "Why pray tell Miss Ross?" Thomas asked, a smile playing about his lips. "Because, he reminds me of our boys out there. Running as fast as they can to be free from the king of England, taking chances for his country. That's why." Hannah said, locking the door of the horse's stall and standing by it. "Well it's a right good name I suppose." Thomas said. The two of them began to head back into the fields and walked towards the house slowly. Not far away, Nathan and Samuel stood on the porch, an eyeglass in Nathan's hands.
"C'mon Nathan! Lemme see now!" Samuel whined. "Wait your turn Sam! I'm trying to see them clearly." Nathan said, waving him off. "I don't see why we're doing this. They know Father wouldn't let them court each other now! They're too young." Samuel said, taking a grab at the eyeglass. "I know that Samuel. Stop it! But love always comes before courting. And that's what I'm trying to find out. Oh my goodness! Are they holding hands?" Nathan said suddenly, causing Samuel to jump up and grasp for the eyeglass. "Lemme see! They are not! C'mon Nathan!" Samuel said excitedly. "False alarm. They aren't." Nathan said with a smile. Samuel, who did not enjoy the joke, frowned. "What are you doing out here?" The boys turned around to face their sister Margaret. "Nothing Meg. Just looking at the stars." Nathan stuttered. Margaret looked at them skeptically. "There aren't any stars yet Nathan. Now just tell me what you're up to." She said, placing her small hands on her hips.
"Well, we think that Thomas and Hannah are falling in love and we're just looking for signs." Samuel said matter-of-factly. Nathan groaned and smacked Samuel's arm. "You leave Hannah alone. She's my best friend! And she is NOT falling in love with Thomas!" Margaret said, irritation rising in her voice as she grabbed for the eyeglass. "No you don't! If you're good, you can watch too." Nathan said, holding the eyeglass just out of reach. "Watch what?" The boys jumped at the sound of Thomas' voice behind them. They turned around and smiled. "Oh nothing, just the lovely sunset we're having. That's all." Nathan explained quickly. Margaret sighed and rolled her eyes. "You had better come in. Supper's ready." The boys dashed into the house before further questions could be asked. Thomas and Hannah eyed each other knowingly and then the boys before walking in the house.