A Colonial Wooing
and "Welcome" were still at Burlington, he had learned, and did Friend Gardiner think that passage for a young woman could be had upon either vessel? "Is she alone?" asked Thomas; "if so, it would not be possible. There are so few people that return, and particularly at this time of the year, that boats take merchandise only on the homeward passage. That a young woman should go with but the crew on board would not be proper, nor, indeed, would the captain of either vessel assume the responsibility of such a charge. And who, may I ask, is this young woman that would return?"
"My step-daughter, Ruth Davenport," Matthew replied.
"Ruth Davenport return to England!" exclaimed Thomas, in blank amazement. "And why must she go? Why, she has been with thee since an infant."
"Her uncle Timothy has left her property." And Matthew gave him the same information he had given others.
Friend Gardiner listened attentively, and then, after some minutes spent in silent reflec-
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