Page:The Story of the Gadsbys - Kipling (1888).djvu/48

 —You go for the ring. R'clect it'll be on the top of my right-hand little finger, and just be careful how you draw it off, because I shall have the Verger's fees somewhere in my glove.

(walking forward hastily).—D the Verger! Come along! It's past twelve, and I haven't seen Her since yesterday evening. (Spinning round again.) She's an absolute angel, Jack, and she's a dashed deal too good for me. Look here, does she come up the aisle on my arm, or how?

—If I thought that there was the least chance of your remembering anything for two consecutive minutes, I'd tell you. Stop passaging about like that!

(halting in the middle of the road).—I say, Jack.

—Keep quiet for another ten minutes if you can, you lunatic, and walk!

The two tramp at five miles an hour for fifteen minutes.

—What's the time? How about that cursed wedding-cake and the slippers? They don't throw 'em about in church, do they?

—In-variably. The Padre leads off with his boots.

—Confound your silly soul! Don't make fun of me. I can't stand it, and I won't!

(untroubled).—So-ooo, old horse! You'll have to sleep for a couple of hours this afternoon.

(spinning round).—I'm not going to be treated like a dashed child. Understand that!

(aside).—Nerves gone to fiddlestrings. What a day we're having! (Tenderly, putting his hand on G.'s shoulder.) My David, how long have you known this Jonathan? Would I come up here to make a fool of you—after all these years?

(penitently).—I know, I know, Jack—but I'm as upset as I can be. Don't mind what I say. Just hear me run through the drill and see if I've got it all right:—