“Well,” says he, “it will be for After-consideration whether we repair the Parsonage at once or not. All shall be as you wish it, Cherry.” And then we went on talking of this and that till we came to a Seat under a Tree; and there we sat and talked all the Rest of the Morning; for he did not care much for going on to see the Prospect.
After Dinner, it became Master Blower’s Object to persuade me to name a very early Day indeed—even that Day Week; and, though I could hardly endure to think of so sudden a Change, and thought it would seem so strange and so unwomanly to Everybody, yet the main Thing that wrought upon me was what I kept to myself; namely, the Danger he was going to incur in returning to his Duties before the Infection was over. And I thought how I should reproach myself if he fell ill, and died for want of my Nursing. But then, again, it would seem so outrageous to the Squire and his Lady.... Not at all, he said, they knew all about his wanting to marry me before ever they sent for me, and the Squire’s Lady had at first been very cool about it; but before we parted at Night, I had quite won her over; and she said to him when the Door closed upon me, “Well, Nat, you may marry that Girl as soon as you like.”
I could hardly help laughing.—What was I to do? I said, oh, very well, I supposed they must all have their own Way,—I would try to be not very miserable about it. So, when we went in to Supper, Master Blower made no Secret of what we had been talking about; and Mistress Blower kissed me, and so did the Squire, and we had a wonderful pleasant Supper. When Master Blower was taking leave of me, he asked me if I had any Message to send Home. It then struck me I must send Word to Mark and Dolly how soon my Condition was going to be changed,—but, what could I say?—I had scarce written a Letter in my Life; least of all to Mark; and could not for the Life of me think of any Way of telling him the News, sufficiently round-about to prevent its seeming abrupt after all. So, thought I, least said, soonest mended: and, sitting down to Pen, Ink, and Paper, I wrote in my smallest, neatest Hand,—
“Dear Mark,
“I’m going to be Mistress Blower.”
And sealed it up and directed it. Master Blower said, “Short, if not sweet!” and promised it should be faithfully delivered.
When he was gone, the Patchwork was put away, and the Wedding-dresses sent for. Dear Mistress Blower was as kind as a Mother to me, though her Husband was only five Years older than mine. Indeed she and the Squire looked upon me quite as a Girl, though I told them over and over again I was not. Though they called each other Father and Mother, they had never had but one Child, which died at three Years old; but I suppose it was always in their Thoughts.
What a happy Week that was!—though Master Blower was away. On the Whole, his Absence was a good Thing: it gave me Time to steady a little, and feel that it was not a Dream that I was going to live always within the Sound of his dear Voice. And, as there was much Sewing to do, I had Plenty of Time to think of it. Mistress Blower gave me my Wedding-clothes,—we had Post-horses to the old Coach, and went to buy them at the County Town. The Gown was white Silk; the Hat trimmed with a Wreath of very little pink Roses round the Crown; and I had a cherry-colour Habit for travelling. Master Blower said he did not deserve such a pretty Bride,—but that was his kind Way of speaking. I only wish I were better worth his having!
—We went away from the Church-door,—as happy a Bridegroom and Bride as ever rode a Pillion. When we had got out of Everybody’s Sight, my Husband said, “How are you getting on, Mistress Blower?” I said, “I am smiling so that I am quite glad there’s Nobody to see me.” “May the Rest of your Life be all Smiles and no Tears, Cherry,” says he,—“with God’s Blessing, it shall be so if I can make it so!” “Ah!” said I, “I’m content to take the Rough and the Smooth together, since I shall henceforth share them with you, Sir.” “Dearest Cherry,” says he, “you really must leave off calling me Sir!”
