who surmised that his years and
his remembrance of the three wives he had outlived did not altogether
suffice to put away from him a strong sentiment of the sweetness of his
ward. Perhaps it was this notion which lit up with mirth the ruddy face
of the German as he walked down the garden behind the slim ascetic
figure of the overseer of meeting in his broad hat and drab clothes. On
the way the German plucked a dozen scarlet roses, a late geranium or two
and a few leaves of motley Poinsetta.

Wholesome paused a moment to greet quietly the new-comer, and
straightway betook himself absently to his walk again to and fro across
the garden. Mistress White would have had the old overseer take her
seat, but this he would not do. He stood a moment near her, as if
irresolute, while Schmidt threw himself down on the sward, and, half
turning over, tossed roses into the gray lap of Mistress White, saying,
"How prettily the God of heaven has dressed them!"

Mistress White took up the flowers, not answering the challenge, but
glancing under her long lashes at the ex-captain, to whom presently the
overseer turned, saying, "Would thee give me a word or two with thee by
ourselves, Richard?"

"There are none in the parlor," said Priscilla, "if thee will talk
there."

"If," said Wholesome, "it be of business, let it wait till to-morrow,
and I will call upon thee: I am not altogether myself to-day."

"Nay," said Nicholas, gathering himself up a little, "thee must know
theeself that I would not come to thee here for business: thee knows my
exactness in such matters."

"And for what, then, are you come?" said Wholesome with unusual
abruptness.

"For speech of that in thee conduct which were better, as between an
elder friend and a younger, to be talked over alone," said Mr. Oldmixon
severely.

Now, Wholesome, though disgusted by his lack of power to keep the silent
pledges he had given when he entered the Society of Friends, was not
dissatisfied with his conduct as he judged it by his own standard of
right. Moreover, like many warm-hearted people, he was quick of temper,
as we have seen. His face flushed, and he paused beside the overseer:
"There are none here who do not know most of what passed this morning;
but as you do not know all, let me advise you to hold your peace and go
your ways, and leave me to such reproach as God may send me."

"If that God send thee any," muttered Schmidt.

But Nicholas Oldmixon was like a war-hor