Ho, ho, if he dared, if he _quite_ dared, Nat!" He nudged Nathaniel again with such enthusiasm that the latter jumped as though a knife had been thrust between his ribs.
"By George, I admire his taste!" he laughed.

The women caught him staring at them, and one, who was the youngest and prettiest of the lot, smiled invitingly.
"Tush--the Jezebel!" snapped Obadiah, catching the look.

"That's her child playing just beyond." The young woman tossed her head and her white teeth gleamed in a laugh, as though she had overheard the old councilor's words.
"See her twist her hair," he snarled venomously as the young woman, still boldly eying Nathaniel, played with the luxuriant curls that glistened in the sun upon her breast.

"Ezra Wilton is so fond of her that he will take no other wife.

Ugh, Strang is a fool!" Nathaniel turned away from the smiling eyes with a shrug.
"Why ?" "To tell our women that it helps to save their souls to wear short skirts and let their hair hang down.