He is not used to the whip--it might make him troublesome." Mistress Putnam made no reply; but gathered up the reins, and the horse started down the lane.
A singular smile came across the young man's features.

He went back and closed the door of the house, and then started in a rapid walk across the field towards his own home.

Neither of them thought it mattered that the house was left for a time unprotected.

Mistress Putnam knew that a couple of farm-hands were at work in a distant field, who would be back at sundown; and there were so few strollers at that time, that no farmer thought of bolting up his doors and windows when he went to meeting, or to see a neighbor.
The way home across the fields was a good deal nearer than to go by the road, as the latter made quite an angle.

And, as the young man strode swiftly, on he could see in many places his sister-in-law, riding deliberately along, and approaching the forks of the road, where anyone going to his own house, would turn and ride away from, instead of toward Salem.
"When she gets to the forks of the road, look out for squalls," said Master Joseph to himself.