"Well, Father," John said, as he came in, "Matthew has passed the test, and the parson has found him efficient in faith and morals."
"Good, my son," Governor Winthrop replied; "it pleases me to hear that.
Come forward, Matthew, for I have good news for you."
Fred and Agnes looked with deep interest at the boy. He was somewhat taller than Fred, but did not seem to be as strong as he. Evidently the lad had starved a good deal on the voyage, for he looked haggard and wan. Also he was dressed quite poorly. The visit to the minister had, no doubt, been a great strain on him. He was timid and bashful, and as the Governor addressed him, his cheeks became scarlet.
"Come on, my son," Governor Winthrop said, "and be not afraid. We shall not send you back, for you will have a good home with the Bradleys. God has provided for you a dwelling place."
Fred liked his new brother right away, for his blue eyes had an honest and straight forward look.
"You will go with us right now to your new home" he told him after he had shaken hands with him. "Here is my sister Agnes," he added.
Agnes was a bit timid for a moment, but her sweet good nature asserted itself.
"I believe we must carry you," she said smilingly, "since you have no snow-shoes. Where we live is a good ways off, and we must wade through heavy snow."
"I cannot walk on snow-shoes," Matthew said bashfully, "but I wilt try my best to follow you."
"The snow is frozen pretty hard," Fred mused, "and I do not think you will break through. So let us go."