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 critical time. It seemed too good an opportunity to let his views be known concerning Ruth's future to be prevented by the ready tongue that had interrupted him so successfully.

"What thee says, John, may be quite true," remarked Matthew, after a moment's pause in the conversation, "but I had another matter on which I had a concern to speak to thee, and it seems more fitting to do so now than ever before, although upon my mind and a concern, too, of Ruth's mother."

What can he have upon his mind? wondered John, as he carefully laid his hammer upon the bench and faced Matthew, with his arms folded. "If I am to be lectured, why, here I am, and let's get through with it," he said, lightly.

"Thee knows, John, that thy mind leads thee to Ruth, for it is common report, and Friends have remarked how, in meeting, thy eyes continually rest upon her."

Matthew evidently expected a reply, pausing as he did for so long a time, for John simply kept his eyes fixed upon the speaker.