Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/167

 my duty, as I see it; and as Ruth has so long been stubborn and received my reproofs with so little concern, she surely can care for herself during a voyage to England."

"If she sailed from here, she would land at Bristol, and it would be a lonely journey, if alone, from there to Scarboro."

"But William would accompany her," persisted Matthew.

"I cannot assist thee; it is a matter that I highly disapprove of." And here the conversation ended.

The next morning Matthew learned, as Thomas Gardiner had predicted, that the captains of the two vessels then at anchor before the town were both unwilling to take Ruth as a passenger unless other women went along; but there were ships at Philadelphia in which passage might be engaged. No offer that he could make would induce them to change their decision; and, more chagrined than he dare admit, he was left with the alternative to return home with nothing accomplished or go on another and longer day's journey to Philadelphia, and