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hesitation—I told my parents that Mr. Gaine wished to employ me.
    Mother immediately expressed her astonishment and doubts, but Father took to it more kindly. There was discussion between them as to whether it was a proper thing for a girl to do such work. For my part, I reminded them we needed more money if we were going to help William.
    Father, breaking into a rare smile, said, “Then it will be as Mr. Paine wrote, ‘Our new nation is a blank sheet for us to write upon.’ And who shall do that better than a girl printer? You must tell Mr. Gaine that if he calls, I’m willing to discuss the matter.”
    In a matter of two hours, my father and I had completed all Mr. Gaine’s notices. I planned to take the rewritten advertisements back to the printer the next day and, hopefully, collect our payment.
    â€œBetween Lieutenant André and some ready money, we’re sure to free William,” Mother said.
    Please, God , I thought. Make it so .

17
    THAT EVENING A frost came, along with damp cold that promised snow. Father, weary with pain, gave up waiting for the lieutenant and went to sleep. Mother and I stayed by the fire. We had been talking about William. Mother, having convinced herself that John André was going to provide assistance, was much more at ease. I was not about to share my forebodings.
    There was a lull in our conversation, after which Mother suddenly said, “Sophia, there is something I need to say to you about Lieutenant André.”
    â€œWhat about him?”
    Mother made me wait while she appeared to shape her words. “You are twelve years old, a child, I would say,” she began. “But a young woman, nonetheless.” She paused, and in the interval I could feel myself growing warm—not from the fire, but with discomfort. “It is wonderful that the lieutenant will help us,” she said. “But, Sophia, you are showing a reckless infatuation with him.”
    â€œA what?”
    â€œA misplaced affection. I must say it’s neither propernor intelligent. Consider your age. Our situation. His position.”
    Even as I bowed my head, I knew my cheeks were crimson.
    She patted my hand gently. “Though we will be extra grateful to him when he helps William, there will be a better time, place, and other persons upon which you can bestow your affections.”
    â€œI assure you,” I spoke the lie. “I have none for him.”
    â€œI’m pleased to hear it.” She took my hand and held it, as if to remind me that I was still a child. “But be careful,” she whispered. “Young women are severely judged.”
    We sat there in quietude, during which time I thought of her words. Even as I knew she was right, I resented the notion that she treated my emotions as childish. I sought some gratification in that she used the words “young woman” to describe me.
    In the midst of the stillness, there was a sharp rap upon the outside door. Next moment John André, along with his servant, entered the house.

18
    â€œLADIES,” CALLED THE lieutenant cheerfully as he and his servant stamped their boots and rubbed hands together, “I wish you a good evening. It’s pleasing to have a fire.” Snow was on his shoulders.
    Both Mother and I had risen when they came in, and she dutifully replied to the lieutenant’s greeting. Full of unease, I kept my eyes upon the ground but could not avoid peeking up at him. He was gazing only at Mother. Is he keeping himself from looking at me?
    He must have sensed our mood, for he said, “Is something amiss?”
    â€œMr. Calderwood would like to speak to you in the morning.”
    â€œI shall wait upon him. But, ladies, I have some wretched news. Wretched for me, at least.”
    I looked up, startled.
    â€œI’ve been transferred to Staten Island. That’s where most of the green-coated Hessian troops are. With my knowledge of German, I’m