And, had things been other than as they were, he could think of no one to whom he had rather see Maud Hunniwell married.
In fact, had Captain Hunniwell known the young man's record, of his slip and its punishment, Jed would have been quite content to see the latter become Maud's husband.

A term in prison, especially when, as in this case, he believed it to be an unwarranted punishment, would have counted for nothing in the unworldly mind of the windmill maker.

But Captain Sam did not know.

He was tremendously proud of his daughter; in his estimation no man would have been quite good enough for her.

What would he say when he learned?
What would Maud say when she learned?
for it was almost certain that Charles had not told her.