The next Morning, at Breakfast-time, Mark did not appear. Dolly said he had gone out early. My Father was angry, and sent across the Way for him, knowing he was but too often at Master Armytage’s. But Dolly brought back Word they had seen Nothing of him. Then we concluded he had gone for an early Walk, as was often his Custom, and had outstayed his Time. However, we breakfasted without him at length, and still he did not come back.
“Confound that Boy,” said my patient Father at last—(thus, the Fault of one Party provoked the Sin of another,)—“it’s plaguy tiresome of him to be playing Truant this Morning, of all Days in the Year, for I have pressing Business in Eastcheap.”
“Leave me in Charge of the Shop, Father,” said I,—“my Mother’s Cough is quiet, now she is dozing; and I shall hear her Bell.”
“Well, I suppose I must,” said he very reluctantly; “but I shall trounce Master Mark well for his Conduct when I see him next, he may rely upon it!”
So he left me in Charge; and my loved Mother being in a Kind of lethargic Slumber, which often lasted many Hours, I left the Doors open between us, and sat in the Shop. As Fate would have it, not a single Customer looked in the whole Time my Father was away; which was lucky, though we did not feel very thankful, in usual, for this Falling-off in Business. Before he returned, Mark came in, and beckoned me into the Parlour.
“What is the Matter?” said I, with a violently beating Heart.
“I’ve done it!” said he breathlessly.
“Done what?” said I.
“Married!” said he: and hid his Face in his Hands.
“Dear Mark, how imprudent!” I exclaimed affectionately; “what will the Armytages say?”