Page:Betty Alden.djvu/25

Rh "Have a stool by the porthole, Will; 't is something warm for September," said he, as he closed the door.

"Ay, but you always have a good air at this east window, and a fair view as well," returned the governor, seating himself.

"The view of the Charity is but a fleeting one, since she sails in the morning," remarked Standish dryly.

"Yes, she does," assented Bradford, with an air of embarrassment not lost upon the captain, who smiled ever so little, and lighted his pipe, saying between the puffs,

"'T is safe enough to smoke in this den of mine, Will, and your tobacco is a wonderful counselor."

"Say you so, Myles? Then pass over your pouch, for I am in sore need of counsel and sought it of you."

"Such as I have is at your command, Governor. What is the matter?"

"Well, 't is hard to put it in any dignified or magisterial phrase, Myles, since, truth to tell, it comes of the distaff side of the house"—

"Ay, ay, I can believe it! Has Priscilla Alden been whispering with your wife?"

"Nay, not that I know of; in truth, 't is somewhat idler than even that foundation, for Mistress Alden is one of our own, but this well, to tell the story in manful sincerity, my wife informs me that Dame Lyford, who is as you know in childbed, and much beholden for care and comfort to both your wife and mine, as well as to Priscilla Alden, last night fell a-crying, and said she was a miserable wretch to receive nourishment and tendance at their hands when her husband was practicing with Oldhame and others for our destruction. In the beginning, Alice set this all down