t refuse to do what
I ask in the name of our friendship."

John Alden felt he could no longer withstand the Captain's earnest
request, so he reluctantly consented and went forth on his errand. His
way led him through the woods, where he gathered some may-flowers as a
gift for Priscilla. When he drew near Priscilla's home he found her
spinning industriously and singing as she worked. As John entered, she
rose and held out her hand to him, saying: "I knew it was you when I
heard your step in the passage; I was thinking of you as I sat there
spinning and singing."

John was so pleased that she should have been thinking of him that he
could frame no reply, but held out the flowers to her in silent answer.
Then they sat down and talked of their friends at home and of the
_Mayflower_, which was to return to England the next day. Priscilla
confessed she felt so lonely and wretched that she wished she could
return to England too, and John answered: "I cannot blame you for that
wish. A woman requires someone stronger than herself to lean on, so I
have come to you now with an offer of marriage from a good and true
man, Miles Standish, the Captain of Plymouth."

Not even the Captain himself could have spoken more bluntly than did
John, and Priscilla looked at him in amazement. At length she exclaimed:
"If the great Captain of Plymouth is so very eager to wed me, why does
he not come himself and take the trouble to woo me?"

Poor John tried to smooth matters over. Quite forgetful of himself, he
pleaded the Captain's cause, said how kindly, generous, and brave he
was, what a splendid soldier and leader, and added that any woman might
be proud to be called the wife of Miles Standish. But all his eloquence
was wasted, for the maiden only looked at him and said smilingly: "Why
don't you speak for yourself, John?"

Here was a pretty pass for an honest man to be in! Joyful to think that
Priscilla loved him and yet saddened for his friend's sake, John left
the house and wandered down to the seashore, undecided what he ought to
do in the matter. Suddenly he looked up and saw the shadowy form of the
_Mayflower_ riding at anchor, ready to set sail on the morrow, and he
made up his mind that it was his duty to return to England on the ship.

Strong in his resolution, he returned home and related to the Captain
all that had happened. But when he came to the words Priscilla had
spoken, the Captain stamped on the floor and shouted, angrily