"
The boys were home from school for the occasion. "Molly, there's Joe
coming after you," said the elder.
"If he gives you a kiss now you needn't pretend to mind," said the
other.
"My darling, my own one, that so soon will be my own no longer!" said
the father, as he made his way into the vestry to put on his surplice.
"Dear papa!" It was the only word the bride said as she walked in at the
church-door, and prepared to make her way up the nave at the head of her
little bevy. They were all very bright, as they stood there before the
altar, but the brightest spot among them was Algy Soames's blue necktie.
Joe for the moment was much depressed, and thought nothing of the last
run in which he had distinguished himself; but nevertheless he held up
his head well as a man and a brewer.
"Dont'ee take on so," Miss Thoroughbung said to Mrs. Annesley at the
last moment. "He'll give her plenty to eat and to drink, and will never
do her a morsel of harm." Joe overheard this, and wished that his aunt
was back in her bed at Marmaduke Lodge.
Then the marriage was over, and they all trooped into the vestry to sign
the book. "You can't get out of that now," said Mrs. Crabtree to Joe.
"I don't want to. I have got the fairest girl in these parts for my
wife, and, as I believe, the best young woman.
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