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 sobered her for a moment, and then she, too, laughed, saying, "Thank thee, Cousin Robert." As she spoke, she looked towards the door, for some one was coming in. It was John Bishop.

Coming forward, he shook hands with Ruth and said, "I trust Friend Pearson is no false prophet. What is thy view of the matter? I did not know of thy expectations from across the sea, except a vague rumor, until William Blake told me this afternoon."

"What, pray, has William been telling thee, John?" asked Ruth, not aware that John still held her hand.

"That thee is to return to England very soon, and he is to accompany thee. He did not know the latter part of these strange tidings himself until thy brothers told him. It seems they overheard thy parents talking of the matter, and Friend Watson is desirous that William should sell his share of the boat to him, or let him act as his agent, and return to England with thee."

This sudden breaking of the news in the Pearson household caused all present to