A Colonial Wooing
cuperative rest, she felt ready to meet the world on its own terms, it was with no spirit of meekness that she saw the long array of sedate Friends who had gathered under her mother's roof to congratulate them both and administer to their spiritual needs. With some show of grace Ruth took the well-meant sermon on gratitude for life saved, and would have been happy had this one woman who first spoke been the spokeswoman of the company. Not so; each old woman was confident she would be moved to speak, and in anticipation of the opportunity had composed a sermon; but Ruth had no patience left when the third worthy, growing dolorously poetical, was moved to say, "To think our young friend might have been drowned, and her little body never found———"
"Mother, mother!" she exclaimed, "do make the Friends go away or I'll go mad!" And she rushed from the room, to the mingled surprise, consternation, and regret of those present. It was some moments before she would consent to return, and when she did, her defiant looks put at once an end to all
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