"Fearest! Why, dost thou desire so monstrous a sacrifice to the common weal, as Winslow words it? If the wench must be wed there are men enow who are not of thy nearest friends, Bradford. And, besides, thou knowest I am to marry Priscilla Molines, and now I think on 't, 't is time to arrange it. I did but wait for the brig to be gone, but then the governor's death put all thought of marriage gear out of my head." "Oh ay, I mind me now that thou didst speak of Priscilla. Hast ever spoken to her?" "Not I. I have no skill in such matters, nor time, nor thought. I'll write her a cartel, I mean a letter of proposals"-- "But can she read? Not many of our women are so deeply learned." "I know not, I hope not. The only woman I ever cared to speak to of love could do no more than sign her name and 't was enough." "Well, then, settle it thine own way, only let it be soon, for I fain would see thee with a home and children about thy hearth, old friend." "Ay, I suppose 't is a duty,--a man who hath given all beside, may well give his own way into the bargain. I'll marry before your new old love can reach here, Governor." "Nay, when thou sayest 'Governor,' I note that thou art ill pleased with somewhat, Myles. Is it with me?" "Nay, Will, 't is with thy words." And laughing in his own grim way the Captain left the house, and strode up the hill to solace his spirit by examining and petting his big guns. That same evening Bradford walked painfully across the little space dividing Hopkins's house from that where Katharine Carver sat alone beside the little fire still comfortable to an invalid, and after some conversation said,-- "Dame, hast any plan for marrying thy kinswoman Desire Minter to any of our young fellows?" "I am glad you have spoken of it, Governor Bradford," replied the widow eagerly. "For it is a matter largely in my thoughts. I do not think I am to tarry very long behind my dear lord,--nay, do not speak of that I beseech you, kind sir,--but it hath dwelt painfully on my mind that the poor silly maid would be left alone, and none so ill-fitted to care for herself have I ever seen. But she tells me that John Howland hath spoken to her, and she is not ill inclined to him. Would not it be approved of your judgment, Governor?" "Ay, if in truth both parties desire it, dame. Suppose we have Howland in before us now, and ask him his will? Thou canst deal with the maid after." "He is just without, cleaving some fuel for this fire, if your excellency will please to call him."