Joe drove
up to the church with Algy Soames, it not having been thought discreet
that he should enter the parsonage on that morning, though he had been
there nearly every day through the winter. "I declare, here he is!"
said Miss Thoroughbung, very loudly. "I never thought he'd have the
courage at the last moment."
"I wonder how a certain gentleman would have felt when it came to his
last moment," said Mr. Crabtree.
Mrs. Annesley took to weeping bitterly, which seemed to be unnecessary,
as she had done nothing but congratulate herself since the match had
first been made, and had rejoiced greatly that one of her numerous brood
should have "put into such a haven of rest."
"My dear Mrs. Annesley," said Mrs. Crabtree, consoling her in that she
would not be far removed from her child, "you can almost see the brewery
chimneys from the church tower." Those who knew the two ladies well were
aware that there was some little slur intended by the allusion to
brewery chimneys. Mrs. Crabtree's girl had married the third son of Sir
Reginald Rattlepate. The Rattlepates were not rich, and the third son
was not inclined to earn his bread.
"Thank God, yes!" said Mrs. Annesley, through her tears. "Whenever I
shall see them I shall know that there's an income coming out with the
smoke.
Pages:
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811