The next day fell fast with a new blanket of snow outside. The cold wind wrapped around the mansion, whistling through the cracks and making the gentle windows shudder with its might. As I walked through the halls, I couldn't help bouncing in my step as I walked to my aunt's chambers. The dream I had been harboring for years had finally come true, and my heart was so light I was concerned it might float right out of my breast.

I was a temporary camp-de-aide to General George Washington.

"Aunt Ford?" I called, rapping quickly on the door to her chambers. Within seconds are blotchy red face appeared in the crack of the door. "I need to tell you something!"

She silently rolled her eyes. "What is it now, Mercy?"

Entering the room, hardly able to contain my excitement, I paced the ground while trying to explain.

"Mercy, stop pacing and sit down on this chair," Aunt Ford said, her voice as icy as the winter outside. "Now tell me— and at least pretend that you know how to behave."

"Do you recall how my brother Obedience would teach me military tactics and such?" I began.

Her aunt sighed. "Don't remind me, Mercy. I remember only too well." She glanced to the side at me, eyes glittering like a hawk's. "Still to this day I do not know why he bothered. It's obvious that your skull is too thick to do anything but give me and your superiors attitude."

I resisted the urge to throttle Aunt Ford.

"I am actually very good at strategy," I said through clenched teeth. "So good, in fact, that I have created a new... position for myself."

"Don't speak in riddles, child."

"I have a job in the Continental Army," I said sweetly. Through my half-closed eyes I watched Aunt Ford digest the news.

Aunt Ford's eyebrows narrowed, and a crease appeared on her forehead. "A job? You are going to follow that god-forsaken army around the colonies and wash their clothes? No. I forbid it."

By this point my enthusiasm had diminished, and I wanted to shake her.

"In fact," I snapped at her," I have been offered a place as a temporary camp-de-aide for General George Washington. And if you have a problem with that, take it up with him."

Exasperated, I stood from the chair and walked out of the room, leaving Aunt Ford croaking like a frog behind me.