“But let me explain the background of these events,” he continued. Going over the last few years of the colony’s history, John Master described very frankly the ineptitude of the royal governors, and the effects of London’s failure to compromise, as well as the obstinacy of the Boston men. He told James about the decline of the Assembly, the rise of the Sons of Liberty and the riots, and about his encounters with old Eliot Master, Captain Rivers and Charlie White. His account was careful, clear and balanced.

Yet underneath his measured manner, James could sense his father’s pain. Everything John Master believed in was under attack. The vicious way that his old friend Charlie White had turned upon him seemed to have hurt his father especially. In the midst of all this turmoil, and without his wife for comfort, John was obviously lonely, and even afraid.

“So I’m glad to have you here,” the older man concluded. “As a loyal family, we have to decide what to do.”

“What do you have in mind?”

His father looked thoughtful for a moment, then sighed.

“I’ll tell you something,” he answered. “When Captain Rivers came here, he asked me if I thought of going to live in England. At the time, I was astonished he should say such a thing. God knows, we’ve been here for generations. Yet if matters don’t improve, then, for your sister’s sake, I confess I almost wonder if perhaps we shouldn’t all return to London.”

James did not express an opinion, but he asked his father several questions, gave him what comfort he could, and promised they should discuss all these matters in the days to come.

As they were retiring to their bedchambers, however, his father suddenly stopped him.

“I do not wish to pry, James, but I was surprised that you and Weston came without his mother. Is all well with your wife? Is there anything you wish to tell me?”

“No, Father, there is nothing to say at present.”

“As you wish.” Though he looked concerned, John did not press him further. And James, having wished his father goodnight, was glad to escape to his room, and avoid further questions for the present.

But it was not only the subject of Vanessa he wished to avoid. There was something else he had concealed from his father.

They were just finishing breakfast the next morning when Hudson announced: “Solomon says there’s a lot of people going up to Wall Street.”

By the time James and his father got there, a crowd of thousands already blocked the street. The focus of interest seemed to be City Hall. They had only been there a few moments when two men approached them, and James found himself being introduced to John Jay, the lawyer, and a robust figure wearing a bright waistcoat, who he learned was Duane, the merchant.

“What’s going on?” John Master demanded.