"No, no; I prefer to carry it myself. But you are master of that house?"
"Yes, generally; when my wife ain't to home."
"In that case I have some boxes on board the ship, and should like to place them under your care for a few weeks, could they be moved to your house."
"Jes so," answered Brown.
"Then take charge of them. I will leave an order on board the ship."
"Jes so."
"And pay you well for the trouble now in advance."
"Jes so," answered Brown, holding out his hand for the money. "Now, if you've no objections, I'll go up to the house, for I'm afeared the old woman will be kinder expecting me."
The stranger took his leathern bag from the ground and walked one way, while Jason Brown went to the farm-house; not rapidly, for he, too, was ashamed of being in a hurry to see his wife; but with a step that would grow quick and impatient spite of his philosophy.
"Jason, is that you?" cried Goody Brown, getting out of her loom and meeting her husband half way to the door. "How have you been?"