se, went on,--

"Among his ancestors are men of noble deeds and proud achievements who
have carried the name of Standish of Standish in the forefront of
battle, and in King's Councils, and have ranked among the princes of the
idolatrous Church to which they still cling; but among them all,
Priscilla, hath never risen a braver, or a nobler, or a more honorable
man than he who woos thee"--

"Did he bid thee say all that also?"

"Nay, Priscilla, there's a time for all things, and I must feel it
unworthy of thy womanhood to so perversely jeer and flout at a good
man's love, when 't is honestly offered thee."

"Nor would I, John. But I have heard naught of any love offered me by
Myles Standish. Thou hast offered in his name some coat-armor, and a
long lineage, and courage both ancestral and of his own person,
and--what else? I forget, but surely there was no love among these
commodities. Didst drop it by the way, or did the captain forget to send
it, John?"

"Mayhap, he kept it back to give it thee by word of mouth, Priscilla,
and if he did, it is a treasure even thou shouldst not despise, for
never did I see a nature at once so brave, so strong, and so tender.
Thou knowest how sorely ill I was six weeks or so by-gone, and none did
a hand's turn for me but the captain, nor needed to, for never was nurse
so delicate of touch, so unwearied, so cheerful, and so full of device
as he. No woman ever equaled him in those matters where we long for
woman's tendance, and yet never a soldier played the man more valiantly
where man's work was in hand. Ah Priscilla, 't is a heart of gold, a man
among ten thousand, a tower of strength in danger, and a tender
comforter in suffering that is offered thee--be wise beyond thy years,
and answer him comfortably."

"And hast thou done, John? Hast said all thy say?"

"Ay, maid."

"Then clear thy memory of it all, and make room for the answer I will
give thee."

"And let it be a gentle one, Priscilla."

"Oh, thou knowest how to dress an unwelcome message in comely phrase
better than any man of mine acquaintance, unless it be Master Winslow,"
retorted Priscilla bitterly. "So try thy skill on simple NO, for 't is
all I have to say."

"But Priscilla, but maiden, bethink thee--be not so shrewd of tongue"--

"Nay, wilt have my reasons, Master Envoy? Well then, I care not for a
man who cares not to do his own wooing. I care not for a man so well
assured that I will be held by what he aver