A Colonial Wooing
tion, deliberately replied, "I should think out of thy abundance thee might well maintain Ruth until she married, as she likely will do, and give her a portion then. She must be as a daughter to thee after all these years, and thee has no daughter of thy own. I am amazed at thy eagerness to have her go."
"But Ruth is not a Friend, as I would wish, and her worldliness is a sore trial to me. I had thought that the Friends in Yorkshire might prevail upon her, and she become an instrument in the welfare of her cousins. Thee may know the Davenports are worldly people."
"I cannot follow thee, Matthew, in thy reasons. Were she my child or step-child, she should not return, unless with me; but if thee is fixed in thy resolve, and Ruth is willing, she must go in the care of some returning Friend from Philadelphia. As the season advances, there will doubtless be such an opportunity."
"But she must go at once to prevent the bequest of her uncle being of no effect through her absence. William Blake, that
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