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Rh gave the impression that he did not mind their not waiting for him.

"Missus ain't comin'?" inquired Alick, trying to atone to Jyne for overloading Polly.

"Not ter day," said the bridegroom, but his voice intimated that in all probability she would have been able to come tomorrow.

"No!" said Jyne, putting him under fire, and trying to keep the crow out of her voice.

"Ain't very well, is she? Didn' eat a very 'earty breakfuss this mornin'?" And a further remark suggested that even if the meal had been hearty, the usual process of assimilation had not taken place

"Ow's Polly?" he inquired.

"Cooked," said Jyne, instantly diverted.

"Go on!" said the bridegroom, with well feigned astonishment. His breathless and perspiring state had been caused by his "going on" to capture one of the wild suckers that had been eating Polly.

"Let us pray," said the minister. His host, hostess, and Alick's father knelt, but the rest sat as usual.

The knowledgeable child, considering the grandfather's position an invitation to mount, climbed