Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/69

 this stern religion among the young. Often has it happened that, when two or three have chanced together, freedom from care and from the restraint of a parent's presence has moved their sober steps to a quicker motion; and while no one would be malicious enough to say that they were dancing, it was, in sober truth, a dangerously near approach thereto. The spirit was indeed willing, but their fear was overpowering. How nearly we may approach the worldly and yet be safe has been the tenor of many a long discussion when this topic was ventured upon; and how can a ribbon jeopardize the soul been a problem that by night and day has vexed the young mind to a degree of desperation far more destructive of spiritual peace than a bit of color to relieve the monotony of an ill-contrived, uncomfortable gown.

All this in its various phases had passed through Ruth Davenport's mind, and, having the blood of her father's people in her veins, she was brave enough to speak her thoughts and to express dissatisfaction with an evasive answer; and when, after a long night's