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 suppose, though not a Quaker, that I have some care for my honor and that of my own house? Really, the more I see of your faith, as it is sometimes practised, the less I am drawn to it. What do you say, Ruth, would you like to come, and will my good cousin, your mother, consent?"

"If Matthew does not object, I am willing," Anne Watson replied, with a suspicion of doubt in her voice as to how her husband might take her words.

Ruth was again about to speak, but felt that her cousin's eye was upon her, and, looking up, caught from him a glance suggesting caution if not silence on her part; but she was too excited not to speak out, and, with fire on her tongue, was about to express her opinion of her step-father, when Robert's pleading look restrained her, and she said, so mildly that Robert laughed, "I will come, gladly; when do they expect me?"

"They hoped that you would return with me, so can you not say, 'I will go,' instead of 'I will come'? Then I shall have the pleasure of your company, and we will make