While awaiting her arrival, the conversation re-commenced upon a subject which seemed to possess peculiar interest for Endicott.

“I cannot abide it,” said he to his next neighbor.

“May I inquire what excites your indignation, master Endicott?” said Winthrop.

“The detestable fashion of wearing long hair, after the manner of ruffians and barbarous Indians, which is beginning to invade our Canaan, contrary to the rule of God’s word, which says that it is a shame for a man to wear long hair, and contrary also to the commendable custom generally of all the godly of our nation, until within these few years.”

“You have flushed a new covey,” said Winthrop, with a smile.

“Nay; it is a chicken of the same brood,” said an Assistant.

“Call it what you will,” answered Endicott.  “It may be a chicken, if you please, or a hawk, or whatever else your learnings may call it, but I do declare and manifest my dislike and detestation of such wearing of long hair, as against a thing uncivil and unmanly, whereby men deform themselves, and offend sober and modest persons, and corrupt good manners.”

“This is but a thing indifferent,” broke in Dudley.  “It will be time enough to think thereof, when no business of moment is before us.”

“Call you that a thing indifferent,” demanded Endicott, “which is plainly reprobated in Scripture?”

“I would have you notice,” answered the Deputy, “that the custom is nowhere prohibited.  The apostle doth merely speak of it as of something contrary to usage in his days.”

“Brother Dudley—­Brother Dudley,” said Endicott, “I read not so the Epistle of Paul.  Thus speaks he:  ’Doth not nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him?’”

“Spoke Paul in this wise,” inquired Dudley, “as Paul the inspired messenger, or as Paul the fallible man?”

“Have a care, brother Dudley,” said Endicott.  “These be dangerous distinctions.  What is written is written for our learning, and I will not curiously inquire into the amount of inspiration therein, having no gauge whereby to determine its measure.”

The conversation, much to the relief of Dudley, who found himself, somehow or other, speaking in opposition to Endicott in a matter wherein the opinions and feelings of the two did not after all materially differ, was here interrupted by the opening of a door and the introduction of the lady.  She was clothed entirely in black, with a veil of the same color covering her head, and falling so low as completely to conceal her features.  With a modest mien she followed the servitor, and, at a courteous wave of the hand and inclination of the body from Winthrop, took a seat near the Secretary, a little aback from the table.

“She is attired,” said an Assistant to another, “as if she did divine the thoughts of Endicott.  For the sake of her veil she ought to find favor in his eyes.”