Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/41

 still glowed under the thin covering of non-resistant principles.

"Nor has it failed me; but in winter, as you know, we have to trust to the uncertain ice at times, and that was nearly an accident when the ice broke behind your cart instead of under it. Your memory is short."

"I trust it will never become as short as thy tongue is flippant," Matthew replied, and moved away.

"Do, friends, do be guarded in your conversation, lest Friend Watson take offence," exclaimed William Blake, running, bareheaded, from the shop. "He may prejudice the neighbors and so we lose their trade."

"Don't worry on that score, William," replied Robert Pearson; "the whole province is not made up of Quakers, not even this township of Chesterfield, and, thank goodness, all are not of the stamp of Matthew Watson."

"I know, I know; but, friends, I've forty pounds silver money in this venture and John has but ten, and it weighs upon me that we may not succeed."