Phoebe the Spy

“‘It’s hard to find a person you can trust with a secret—especially a dangerous secret,’ he went on. ‘I’m glad to know I can trust you. Young as you are, you’ve learned from your father how to listen well and talk little.’”

Sam begins to explain his plan to his daughter, Phoebe. Sam’s trust in his daughter reveals her mature and discreet nature, which he has taught her by example. This conversation introduces the story’s theme of Developing Courage Through Responsibility as Sam prepares Phoebe to leave home and become a spy for General Washington.

“It was so easy for him to hear secrets without seeming to listen! 

‘What I heard could cost my life, Daughter, and the general’s as well,’ her father said quietly. ‘Phoebe, I need your help.’”

This passage shows the high stakes of Phoebe and Sam’s predicament and the dangerous conditions they live in as Patriots in British-occupied New York City. Phoebe’s admiration of her father’s knack for listening in on private conversations adds to the story’s theme of The Overlooked Heroism of Ordinary People, as both Sam and Phoebe do heroic things in their humble roles.

“I want you to live there and be his housekeeper, Phoebe. I know you will be a good one. But your real job will be to watch—to listen—to spy out every bit of information you can. I want you to find out if there is someone planning to kill him and how he plans to do it. Your real job will be to save General Washington’s life.”

Sam explains Phoebe’s task: to work as a housekeeper while secretly spying on Washington’s household. The use of repetition (“your real job”) underscores the seriousness of what Sam is asking, as the stakes escalate from “watch[ing]” to “sav[ing] General Washington’s life.” The passage thus builds suspense by inviting the reader to wonder how Phoebe will be able to accomplish this daunting task. Phoebe’s role as Washington’s servant makes her a hidden hero like her father, as everyone assumes she is simply another working child in New York City.

“‘You know, Phoebe,’ he said, ‘tis’ a strange freedom we’re fighting for, alongside George Washington […] And tis’ stranger yet that you and I will save him,’ Samuel went on. ‘And those like us will have no share in the freedom he’s fighting for!’”

Sam laments that other Black Americans will not benefit from America’s independence from Britain. His comments about this “strange freedom” highlight the hypocrisy of many Patriots, who wanted political independence from Britain but refused to extend basic freedoms to enslaved people. By showing how Sam and Phoebe are willing to help Washington with no expectations of reward, this passage adds to the story’s theme of Loyalty and Sacrifice in Times of Conflict.

“A cold, damp wind blew in off the harbor. Everywhere, it seemed, men were pushing carts. They rattled over the cobblestones, loaded with guns and ammunition. Soldiers were everywhere, shouting orders. War was in the air.”

Griffin’s imagery paints a picture of the busy streets of wartime New York City. This description heightens the tension in the story as Phoebe makes her way from her familiar tavern to her new workplace, Mortier House.

“And could it be—she looked harder—yes, it was! There, among all the dark brown and black roofs of the other buildings, was the bright red-tiled roof of the Queen’s Head! It stood out like a flag, almost like a signal! And suddenly, Phoebe did not feel so hopeless. She wasn’t so far from home, after all.”

Feeling homesick, Phoebe looks out the window of her bedroom at Mortier House and notices the roof of her father’s tavern in the distance. The sight of home lifts her spirits and helps her rededicate herself to her task. This passage adds realism to Phoebe’s character, reminding the reader that she is a regular girl who has been given a huge responsibility. The simile comparing the tavern to a “flag” or “signal” is also significant. It draws on military imagery, foreshadowing the decisive role that Sam and Phoebe will play in the war effort despite being civilians.

“General Washington never said very much. He was tall, with a quiet voice. He looked like the kind of man who could win a war.”

This passage shows that even though Phoebe is there to help save Washington’s life, he is unaware of the plot against him, and the two have a distant relationship. At the same time, Phoebe’s characterization of Washington as a quiet and serious man subtly contributes to the work’s depiction of heroism; a “quiet voice” and reserved demeanor are not necessarily what one would expect of a military leader, but the passage suggests that these traits are precisely what make Phoebe believe that he can “win a war.”

“Phoebe slipped among them silent as a shadow, as her father had taught her. Whenever she saw anyone talking softly, she stopped to poke the fire, fill their glasses, light new candles. But still she saw nothing, heard nothing.”

Phoebe focuses on her task of spying by being a dutiful housekeeper. The simile comparing Phoebe to a shadow develops the theme of hidden heroism, depicting Phoebe as an underestimated and underappreciated person whose heroism is invisible to those that she serves.

“No one took any notice of her, in her clean white apron and cap, a shawl thrown across her shoulders. Nor did anyone particularly notice the man who always came to stand beside her, his curly hair powdered and pulled back, his brown face plump and smiling.”

Phoebe and her father meet at the waterfront every day. Because of their ordinary outfits and everyday routine, no one suspects that the father-daughter pair could be spies. This passage adds detail to the theme of overlooked heroism, as Sam and Phoebe continue their work in their humble, secret roles.

“One was especially nice. Mr. Hickey was his name. He smiled at Phoebe while she was serving and often came into the kitchen to joke with her and Mary while Mary was preparing the meals.”

This passage introduces Mr. Hickey, portraying him as a friendly and outgoing young man. It also establishes Mr. Hickey’s habit of visiting Phoebe and Mary while they work, which becomes a plot point: At the end of the story, it emerges that Mr. Hickey began this habit to build a false friendship with Phoebe and normalize his visits to the kitchen, the place where he would later plant the poison for Washington.

“From what she could tell, he didn’t say much to anyone, even at dinnertime when everyone did a lot of talking. Though his name didn’t begin with T, Phoebe made up her mind to watch him very carefully. There was something about him she didn’t like.”

Phoebe immediately suspects Mr. Green of being a traitor. This passage builds suspense in the story, raising questions about the mysterious Mr. Green and why he is so unfriendly to Phoebe. Green serves as a foil for Hickey, further underscoring the book’s message about the deceptive nature of appearances: Just as Hickey appears friendly but proves to be a would-be assassin, Green seems suspicious but is ultimately benign.

“Then Hickey would say, ‘The ribbon’s for you, pretty Phoebe. Compliments of King George III!’ Sometimes there would be a stick of candy inside—always, he said, stolen from those loyal to the King of England. 

Soon she was looking forward to his visits everyday.”

Hickey constantly flatters Phoebe and gives her little gifts. When he is revealed as the assassin, it is clear that Hickey’s actions were meant to make him seem like a loyal Patriot and enemy of King George III, as well as to manipulate Phoebe into trusting him and becoming used to his presence in the kitchen.

“Her father had told her to trust no one. Still…perhaps she could trust him. She would wait and see.”

As Phoebe grows to like Mr. Hickey, she wonders if she can trust him and tell him her secret. This passage shows the burden Phoebe carries as she spies on Washington’s household with only her father to confide in. Her inner monologue builds suspense, as it seems she might break her promise to her father and tell Hickey what she is really doing in the house.

“She knew she was there to save General Washington’s life. But as the days went by and she still heard nothing, she began to wonder if perhaps her father was mistaken. No one seemed to be plotting anything, and it was now the beginning of June.”

Phoebe’s task is slow and painstaking. By presenting her spying as a long and sometimes dull commitment, the story adds to its theme of loyalty and sacrifice during times of conflict.

“Phoebe’s mind was whirling as she headed back toward the house. She was frightened, but she was also determined. She would save General Washington! She had long ago figured that he would likely be shot.”

After her father warns her that Washington’s assassination is imminent, Phoebe hurries back to Mortier House, feeling scared but committed to her task. By showing how Phoebe’s job forces her to be brave and confront her fears, the story develops its theme of developing courage through responsibility. Phoebe’s prediction that Washington will be shot also serves as a red herring that narrows the reader’s view of the upcoming danger while developing the book’s ideas about wartime heroism: Phoebe expects the assassination attempt to require dramatic, soldierly action.

“After all, he was a member of the bodyguard—it was his job to protect General Washington. Her father’s words came back to her. ‘Trust no one,’ he had said. ‘No one.’ She sighed. She’d have to keep trying alone.”

Phoebe considers telling Mr. Hickey about her problem and asking for his help but ultimately decides to obey her father and keep her secret to herself. This passage demonstrates Phoebe’s good sense as a young spy, as telling Mr. Hickey her secret would have been disastrous. By shouldering her burdens alone, Phoebe adds depth to the story’s theme of loyalty and sacrifice during conflict.

“All afternoon, as she went about her chores, Phoebe worried. How could she get the general’s chair away from that window? She would have to stand in front of it, blocking the view from outside. But then, would someone shoot her?”

Phoebe feels anxious about her father’s warnings as she works. By showing how she inwardly strategizes while outwardly performing her household tasks, the author shows Phoebe’s dual life as spy for her father and servant to others, developing the theme of hidden heroism.

“‘Oh! Mr. Hickey, sir!’ she said. ‘You gave me such a start. I was—’ She stopped and looked at him, even more startled. He looked ill? Frightened? She couldn’t tell which.”

Hickey looks strange when he appears in the kitchen unexpectedly. His odd demeanor hints at a twist in the unfolding mystery, as Phoebe is distracted by thoughts of Washington being shot but intuits that something is wrong. By foreshadowing that Hickey is up to something bad, this passage heightens the narrative tension.

“‘What are you doing to General Washington’s plate?’ she said. ‘I told you yours is here!’ She picked up the plate. Was it her imagination, or was there something grainy, like sugar, on the peas? Phoebe looked more closely, but as she looked, whatever it was seemed to have disappeared.”

The odd texture of the peas, coupled with Hickey’s strange behavior, creates tension and dramatic irony in the story’s final scenes. Phoebe’s common sense tells her that something is wrong with the peas (as the story has nudged readers to assume), but it is unclear if she will follow through on reporting Hickey. Meanwhile, the “disappearing” poison contributes to the book’s broader exploration of the deceptive nature of appearances.

“As she walked toward the General, Phoebe looked at every face around the table. Some of the guests were talking, some merely smiling. None seemed nervous or frightened.

 And then she noticed the empty chair. Who was missing?”

Phoebe tries to think on her feet while Washington and his companions prepare for dinner. This tense passage invites the reader to suspect Mr. Green, the only man missing from the table. Having previously cast suspicion on Hickey, the work now deepens the mystery and suspense by encouraging the reader to consider the problem from Phoebe’s perspective, who expects someone to shoot at Washington through the window.

“Phoebe stood like a stone, the plate still in her hands. She saw Hickey again—Thomas Hickey—laughing and teasing, bringing her candy and ribbons and seed for her chickens. And then bringing June peas for the General and sprinkling them with poison! T was for Thomas, member of General Washington’s bodyguard!”

Phoebe uses logic to deduce that Thomas Hickey must be the traitor. By recalling his friendly gestures and how they could have facilitated his murderous plot, Phoebe realizes how she has been manipulated by this charming young man. Her last-minute realization serves as the narrative climax, as she throws the deadly peas out the window instead of serving them to George Washington.

“Three of Phoebe’s chickens had come to peck at the peas she had thrown outside. Two had already fallen dead. The third was still moving its wings, but as they watched it, it, too, grew still. The poison, meant for General Washington, had killed the chickens instead.”

After Phoebe’s accusation, the group observes the chickens falling dead, one by one, after eating the poisoned peas. This scene confirms Phoebe’s suspicions of Hickey and reveals her heroic actions to all the people she has been serving at Mortier House.

“Minutes later Thomas Hickey was dragged in from the yard, his face white with terror. He had not been able to escape. Minutes after that, Sam Fraunces burst into the room. Phoebe was still standing by the window, shaking. He ran to her and held her tightly. Phoebe clung to him, burying her face in his shoulder. 

‘Well done, Daughter,’ Samuel Fraunces said quietly. ‘Well done.’”

Washington’s companions catch Hickey before he can escape, resolving the plot against Washington. This passage captures Sam’s pride in Phoebe and her relief that she fulfilled her mission. Sam and Phoebe’s emotional reunion stuns Washington and his friends, revealing both the tavern owner and his daughter to have acted heroically.