"'The Settlement of New Plymouth, March the 21st inst. a. d. 1620.'" For thus in Old Style did John Alden count the date we now should set at March 31st, 1621. And having written it in the queer crabbed Saxon script we find so hard to decipher he inquired,—
"And what next, Mistress Priscilla?"
"Next, Master John, thou mayest set down,"—
"'My well beloved'"—
"Well, who is thy well beloved?" demanded John pen in hand and flame on cheek.
"Nay, the name is of no importance," replied Priscilla coldly. "Let us go on."
"Very well, 'My well beloved,' is set down."
"'I promised thee news of my welfare so soon as opportunity should serve to send it.'"—
"Well?"