Page:The Story of the Gadsbys - Kipling (1888).djvu/52

 got to speak to the Padre a minute. (G. breaks into a gentle perspiration.} If you wipe your face I'll never be your best man again. Stand up! (G. trembles visibly.)

(returning).—She's coming now. Look out when the music starts. There's the organ beginning to clack.

''Bride steps out of 'rickshaw at Church door. G. catches a glimpse of her and takes heart''.

(Diapason and Burden). The Voice that breathed o'er Eden That earliest marriage day, The primal marriage blessing It hath not passed away.

(watching G.).—By Jove! He is looking well. 'Didn't think he had it in him.

—How long does this hymn go on for?

—It will be over directly. (Anxiously.) Beginning to bleach and gulp? Hold on, Gaddy, and think o' the Regiment.

(measuredly).—I say, there's a big brown lizard crawling up that wall.

—My Sainted Mother! The last stage of collapse!

Bride comes up to left of altar, lifts her eyes once to G. who is suddenly smitten mad.

(to himself, again and again).—Little Featherweight's a woman—a woman! And I thought she was a little girl.

(in a whisper).—From the halt—inward wheel.

Captain G. obeys mechanically, and the ceremony proceeds.

— only unto her as long as ye both shall live?

(his throat useless).—Ha—hmmm!

—Say you will or you won't. There's no second deal here.

Bride gives response with perfect coolness, and is given away by the father.

(thinking to show his learning).—Jack, give me away now,quick!