"Perhaps it was one of those spectral horses, with a spectral rider. As Master Mather says: These are very wonderful and appalling times!" And the young man laughed a little scornfully.
"Brother Joseph, I do not care to talk with you upon this question. I greatly regret, as do your brothers and your uncles, that you have gone over to the infidels and the scoffers."
"And I regret that they are making such fools of themselves," replied Joseph hotly.
"I have no time to discuss this question, brother Joseph," said Mistress Ann with dignity. "I am going to Salem town this afternoon, very much in the cross, to give my testimony against a young friend of yours. Would that I could have been spared this trial!" and his sister-in-law looked up to the ceiling sanctimoniously. As Joseph told his young wife that night, her hypocrisy hardened his heart against her; so that he could have kept her at home by sheer force, if it were necessary, and at all expedient—in fact he would have preferred that rough but sincere way.
"If you testify to anything that throws doubt upon Master Raymond's perfect innocency and goodness, you will testify to a lie," replied Master Joseph severely.
"As I said, I have no time for argument. Will you be good enough to tell Jehosaphat to saddle the roan for me."
"You know that I had your permission to send Fatty off on an errand—and he is not back yet."
Mistress Putnam started and bit her lip. She had made a mistake. "I suppose he will be back before long."
"I doubt it. I sent him to the village."
"Well, I suppose I can put on the saddle myself. Your conscience probably would not allow you to do it—even if common courtesy towards a woman, and that woman your sister, demanded it."