A Colonial Wooing
cheerful nearly all the time. He had gone on the boat with her, and saw that she might be fairly comfortable if the trip was short; but why had he directed that they should start with that tide, instead of twelve hours later, which would still leave plenty of time, and avoid the night on the boat? and did he know that William Blake had come from Philadelphia to Bordentown to be with her? Was this not a scheme to further William's wishes and compromise Ruth? Good Quaker methods of furthering a whim. And Robert spoke in such a sneering tone that Matthew grew very red in the face and twisted uneasily in his chair. "Yes," Robert said, in conclusion, "I left Ruth on the boat, and soon after returned home. I made good my promise, but I am sorry I did so. Was it to be done over again, I would do very differently, and openly interfere and prevent her going; at least, I would be strongly tempted to do so."
"I am amazed to hear thee talk in this way, though I know thee to be a rash, worldly man."
214
