"Not necessarily. It argued nothing unflattering when John Alden performed his famous errand to Priscilla."
Page looked argumentatively into his hostess's amused eyes.
"Haven't you gone a long way afield for a simile?" she asked.
"No, I think not. I was quite as reluctant as poor John to accept the mission."
"Then decline it even at this late hour. I am the least curious of women."
"Impossible." Page shook his head. "Miles Standish is waiting for me over there at the Northern, and he is in a great state of mind."
"You tempt me to wish I had been out when your card came up. Perfunctory visits are very uncomfortable. I think you had better return to your friend, and tell him that Priscilla would not allow you to speak."
"I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?" asked Gorham looking up and half laughing. "You see it is this way. I wanted to come to see you, and as soon as Jack learned my intention, he burdened me with this business. He told me to be eloquent, and not being in the least so, I am overwhelmed by my responsibilities. I had a presentiment, and told him so, that I should make a mess of the whole affair; but he insisted upon trusting his messenger as blindly as the Puritan captain of old."
Page had a way of lapsing, as he talked, into a meditative manner.
"And do you insist upon refusing to be warned by John Alden's failure?" asked Mrs. Van Tassel.