Will left to get Paul Revere, and Vinnie and Mandy stayed to help his mother pick apples.
Several large apple trees grew in the backyard.
Will's mother gave them each a basket, and they all filled them with apples.
As they worked, the children asked about England.
"A while ago, the British passed the Stamp Act," Will's mother said.
"We heard something about that," said Vinnie.
"Everything we read—newspapers, magazines, books, even playing cards—must have a stamp.
The stamp shows that a tax has been paid for it.
Americans shouldn't have to pay taxes to the British," she said with feeling.
"That's not fair," said Mandy.
"Many people are upset," Will's mother continued.
"And many of us spoke up.
Some Boston men formed a group called the Sons of Liberty."
"Are Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock members?" asked Vinnie.
Will's mother did not answer.
She said, "It is a secret group.
No one knows for sure who is a member.
But we know they are fighting for America's freedom."
"Is that why Mr. Hancock was arrested?" asked Mandy.
"I want to show you something,"
Will's mother said in a direct way.
She carried her basket into the house and down to the basement.
The children followed.
The basement was filled with barrels of apples.
"Wow! What are you going to do with all these apples?" asked Vinnie.
"We make apple cider," she explained.
"Our Boston apple cider is very popular in Europe.
We ship it everywhere."
She proudly showed them a stack of clothes, neatly folded.
"See these clothes?" said Will's mother.
"Some women and I belong to our own group.
We are called the Daughters of Liberty.
We make all of our own clothes.
We don't buy any dresses from Britain.
Boston families don't want or need anything from Britain."
Just then, Will returned.
"We need to go now," he said simply.
Vinnie and Mandy said good-bye to Will's mother and his sisters.
They followed Will to the center of town.
Beautiful brick homes with stone steps lined the streets.
Some houses also had offices.
They walked up to one office with a sign that read, "John Adams, Attorney."
A servant opened the door.
"Will Coats to see Mr. Adams," Will told the servant.
They followed the servant into an office.
It was beautifully decorated with polished wooden furniture.
Portraits hung on the walls.
"Is Mr. Adams a famous attorney?" asked Mandy.
Will nodded and added, "He is also a fighter for freedom."
"And the second president of the United States," whispered Vinnie to his sister.
Mandy giggled.
The servant led them to two men talking before a fireplace.
They turned when the children walked in.
"Come in!" A man with a sharp, thin nose walked toward them.
"I'm John Adams," he said, "and this is Paul Revere."