Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/154

 "I am inclined to thy views, John," Matthew deigned to admit; "but my surprise is that thee did not consult with Friends before entering upon such an enterprise. It was my advice, I think, that led thee to establish thy shop."

"Oh!" exclaimed Robert Pearson, with his eyes turned skyward, thinking, "Is that a sample of a Friend's veracity?" For it was he, and he alone, who had brought John Bishop and William Blake together.

"Well, Neighbor Watson, we cannot stand all the day idle, you know. John and I have an engagement, and will carry out our plans without you. The weather is superb, the meadows dry for a wonder, the frost is all gone, and yet it is but the middle of the month. The shop is in good hands, John's help being a very skilful man."

"Thee may be as rash as thy fancy that the winter is over; there will be snow and sleet yet." And Matthew turned away, glad, it would seem, to say something disagreeable in reply to Robert's abounding cheerfulness.

It was a splendid afternoon. The whole