And there in the dim old church, with the morning sun making a glory
of the window above our heads, and with the birds for our choristers,
the vows were exchanged and the blessing pronounced that gave Lisbeth
and her future into my keeping; yet I think we were both conscious
of those two small figures in the gloom of the great pew behind, who
stared in round-eyed wonderment.
The register duly signed and all formalities over and done, we go
out into the sunshine; and once more the aged woman, richer now by
half a crown, is reduced to mute astonishment, so that speech is
beyond her, when the Imp, lifting his feathered cap, politely
wishes her "good-morning."
Being come aboard the Joyful Hope, there ensued an awkward pause,
during which Lisbeth looked at the children and I at her.
"We must take them back home," she said at last.
"We shall miss our train, Lisbeth."
"But," and here she blushed most delightfully, "there is really no
hurry; we can take a - a later one."
"So be it," I said, and laid our course accordingly.
For a time there was silence, during which the Imp, as if in
momentary expectation of an attack by bloodthirsty foes, scowled
about him, pistol in hand, keeping, as he said, "his weather eye
lifting," while Dorothy glanced from Lisbeth to me and back again
with puzzled brows.
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