As he spoke, the door opposite opened and a gentleman came out, closing it behind him. He was a tall and solemn-visaged man, richly attired in velvet, with a sword at his side. There was that air of distinction in his bearing which made Abigail instantly surmise that she was in the presence of Sir William Phipps, the new Governor, who had arrived last month from England. He addressed her companion, taking no notice of her.
“Well, well, Master Wentworth, and that be your name,” he said, “let me warn you to expect no leniency from me nor intercession on your behalf with your masters at Cambridge. I have scarce been in this miserable country two months, yet have had naught dinged in my ears but the mischievous pranks of you students of Harvard. ’Tis first the magistrates coming to complain of your roisterings and rude and idle jestings, and I no sooner have rid myself of them than you students come next, following on their very heels with more excuses than you could count, and puling and whining for mercy. But sit down, young sir, sit down,” he ended, taking a seat as he spoke. He crossed his legs, put the tips of his fingers together, and leant back comfortably in his massively carved oak chair. Chairs were then found only in the houses of the very well-to-do. So it was with some pride that Sir William waved the student to the one other chair in the hall.
But Master Ronald, too nervous to remain quiet, refused impatiently. “I have come with——”
“There is too much of this book-learning, nowadays,” interrupted Sir William, following his own train of thought. “The more experience I have of yon Cambridge students, the more convinced I be, that three fourths should be taken out of college and apprenticed to a worthy trade. Let such extreme learning be left to scholars, lest ordinary men, being too much learned, should set themselves above their ministers in wisdom. As for myself—”
“Ay,” interrupted Master Ronald, desperately, “but the matter on which I come to-day—”
“As for myself,” continued Sir William, glancing severely at the student, “I started out in life apprenticed to an honest trade. From ship’s carpenter, I have risen to fortune and position. But I will confess I grow that troubled with the management of this province, what with the Indian and French wars on the one hand, and this witchery business on the other, that I do often wish I might go back to my broad-axe again, where one can be an honest man with less perplexity.”
“Sir,” spoke the student, sharply, “I crave your pardon, but I have no time for talk to-day. ’Tis a matter—”
“Very well,” retorted Sir William, annoyed, “we will hear of this very important matter, but let me warn you beforehand to expect no indulgence. So you can go on with your plaint, if you count time so poorly as to waste it on a cause already lost, for ’tis to-day I shall begin to make an example of some of you.”
“I come on no private business of my own,” retorted Master Ronald with spirit, “but in company with this little maid.” He indicated Abigail by a wave of his hand.