A Colonial Wooing
not favor him with even the briefest conversation when they happened to meet. He had made a great blunder, and would he, John, take him back, if he could prevail upon his present partner to buy his share of the boat and so set him free?
John would not promise, and endeavored to allay his fears, talking extravagantly of the increased trade of the coming season, and how two boats would be needed instead of one. On all subjects John spoke freely, but always without the slightest reference to Ruth. William Blake noticed this in time, and began talking so freely about her that John could no longer escape making a reply. He endeavored first to put a check upon William's volubility, but this was ineffectual. There was, however, one consolation, she was never referred to when others were present. Day after day passed, and finally William more earnestly than ever sought John's opinion. "Thee is well acquainted with Ruth, John, and can tell me, if thee will, why it is she turns from me so. I have always treated her well, and yet she seems very unwilling to
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