And Peggy

The greatest city in the world (work!)

Hannah had set us to read two chapters of our books before bustling off to do some house work. I'm reading little women by Louisa May Alcott.
I'm half way through my first chapter when Angelica puts her book down, (Common Sense by Thomas Paine) a smirk on her face. She beckons Eliza over to her and the two start whispering, giggling and nodding together. Eventually my curiosity gets the better of me.
"What are you talking about?" I ask in an affronted tone.
The two look at each other before Angelica nods at Eliza and beckons me over to the couch.

"The revolution's happening in New York,"
"New York!"Eliza and I echo

"And Eliza and I are going to witness it" she continues.

"No you can't. Daddy forbids it, he won't let you out after sundown and it's nearly that time!" I tell them.

"Who said anything about permission? We're going to sneak out."

"Y-you wouldn't, you'll get in so much trouble! If you go, I'll tell daddy!" I stammer.

Angelica groans "Stop being such a goody two shoes Peggy,"

Wow, that stung.

"Yeah, you don't have to come," Eliza says

"But.......daddy said to be home by sundown"
"Daddy doesn't need to know," Angelica says lightly
"Daddy said not to go downtown!" I whine
"Like I said, you're free to go," Eliza reminds me.
"But, look around, look around, the revolution's happening in New York!" Angelica says.
"New York!" Eliza and I echo again.
She clearly wants me to come. Probably thinks this will be a good experience for me. Violence and heckling, yep truly the rich girl's dream. I mean it would be exciting and it has to be better than English classes but I'm not letting them off this easily. This might just motivate daddy's war ideas further.

"It's bad enough daddy wants to go to war!" I tell them and I know they hate "daddy's war" as much as I do but Angelica quickly brushes this aside.

"People shouting in the square!" Really, this is getting silly now.

"It's bad enough there'll be violence in our shores!" I say desperately but this is also pushed aside by Eliza.

"New ideas in the air!" Yes, because shooting and fighting are great ideas, I tell myself (I am quite a sarcastic person) but another part of me says this is a history changing moment that I might never get another chance to witness. Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!

"Angelica remind me what we're even looking for?" I'm trying to find a reason not to go because frankly it sounds exciting all this revolution business and I want to be a part of it.
"I'm looking for a mind at work!" She replies shamelessly l. Oh, so it's a boy and a lover she wants, not a change in society.
Finally I succumb to defeat and sigh.

"How are we going to get out?"
The two shared an evil grin and glanced at the window. That's when it dawned on me
"Oh, no. Definitely not!" I say, backing away from them.
"C'mon baby sis, it's the only way!"
It was the only way but that didn't make it right. But if it I wanted to see the revolution in action then this would have to do.
________________________________We'd written a letter to Hannah explaining where we were. We didn't want her getting in trouble. The letter said;
"Dear Hannah,
The revolutions happening in New York and we want to be a part of it. We hope you understand. If father comes home you may give him this letter and assure him that we will be home before sundown.
Your favourite sisters
Angelica, Eliza and Margarita Schuyler :)"