difficult thing--even die for you.

ROSE. So they once told me, but I courtesied, and replied that I
should prefer a live rebel to even two dead loyalists.

CLEVELAND. And then--

ROSE. They vowed to live for me. I begged of them to put themselves to
no such inconvenience; that I wouldn't trouble them to do anything
of the kind; that if they didn't think it worth while to live for
themselves, I shouldn't intrude upon any suicidal intention they might
entertain.

CLEVELAND. And so they lived--

ROSE. But I had no hand in it; I am innocent; my skirts are clear of
the melancholy fact.

CLEVELAND. They are noble gentlemen, Miss Elsworth. You must bear with
me if I defend them. They are good soldiers, and fine-looking fellows.

ROSE. For which I thank their tailors.

CLEVELAND. Gay, dashing; brave of heart, and witty of tongue.

ROSE. Then they have been studying the almanac. When I saw them last,
they hadn't a grain of wit--not even by scratching.

CLEVELAND. Really, Mr. Elsworth, your daughter has a sharp tongue.