about noon
I must say , I like not his confident and bold manner and bearing toward my fair cousin ; and he hath more the likeness of a cast-off dangler at the court , than of a modest and seemly country gentleman , of a staid and well-ordered house . Mistress Broughton says he was not at first accredited in Boston , but that her father , and Mr. Atkinson , and the chief people there now , did hold him to be not only what he professeth , as respecteth his gentlemanly lineage , but also learned and ingenious , and well-versed in the Scriptures , and the works of godly writers , both of ancient and modern time . I noted that Robert was very silent during the rest of our journey , and seemed abashed and troubled in the presence of the gay gentleman ; for , although a fair and comely youth , and of good family and estate , and accounted solid and judicious beyond his years , he does , nevertheless , much lack the ease and ready wit with which the latter commendeth himself to my sweet kinswoman . We crossed about noon a broad stream near to the sea , very deep and miry , so that we wetted our hose and skirts somewhat ; and soon , to our great joy , beheld the pleasant cleared fields and dwellings of the settlement , stretching along for a goodly distance ; while , beyond all , the great ocean rolled , blue and cold , under an high easterly wind . Passing through a broad path , with well-tilled fields on each hand , where men were busy planting corn , and young maids dropping the seed , we came at length to Uncle Rawson 's plantation , looking wellnigh as fair and broad as the lands of Hilton Grange , with a good frame house , and large barns thereon . Turning up the lane , we were met by the housekeeper , a respectable kinswoman , who received us with great civility . Sir Thomas , although pressed to stay , excused himself for the time , promising to call on the morrow , and rode on to the ordinary .