"Go up to Lunnon!" repeated both the Garths in surprise; and Martha added, "Why, sir, ye only came from it yesterday."
"I must return thither to-morrow for all that, but only to remain there one night."
"It must be a mighty business to keep you tossing to and fro like a football, a hundred and fifty miles each way, as if Lunnon weren't farther off than yon church," said Garth. The honest labourer had never made one such journey in the course of all his long life.
"I should ha' thought as how ye'd ha' needed a little rest," observed Martha.
"I do need rest, for I've been much knocked about," replied the young sailor, "and I'd fever in the Channel, and have not yet picked up my strength. But for all that, sick or well, I'm bound for London to-morrow."
"Maybe you've a lot of money to get there," said old Michael Garth.
"Not a farthing; not even will my travelling expenses be paid," replied Harry.
"But sure and sartain, sir, ye can't go to-morrow, it's Miss Lily's wedding-day!" exclaimed Martha. "Don't you wish to be at the marriage?"
"I do wish it much," said Harry Maude. "It is a disappointment to me not to be present, but I am obliged to give up the wedding, for the train starts for London at eleven."
"Well—to be sure!" murmured Martha Garth, lifting up her hands in surprise.