"A very convenient person indeed," said Anne.
"Loosing the knot of a difficulty by the intervention of such a Power, shows but little ingenuity, I confess," said Bernard.
"There is classical authority for it, though," said Mr. Armstrong. "Homer, himself, condescends to introduce a God, when he cannot extricate himself from embarrassment without his help."
"Aye," said Bernard, "but the rule of Horace must not be forgotten, nec Deus," &c.
"True," said Mr. Armstrong; "but how would you have accomplished the feat, like one of the labors of Hercules, without some such means?"
"I do not pretend to be able to do it," answered Bernard, modestly; "but, doubtless, one possessed of more imagination could have accomplished it."
"You are but a cold advocate for your friend," said Faith. "You do not allow him half the merit he deserves"
"He would not complain were he to hear me," said Bernard. "No one can be more sensible than himself, of the defects of his work."
"And I say," said Anne, "that I like his story exceedingly; only, he knows nothing about our sex. It may be all very well for a man to praise that hard-hearted Wampum-head, and make poor Leelinau pine away for his precious sake, but, I do not believe she was so silly as to care much about him."
"If the truth were known," said Pownal, "I have no doubt that the girl rejected him, because she liked some one else better."