“But you don’t mean it, do you?” she said, lifting to him her face that was round and glossy like a blackheart cherry. For answer, he unfolded the marriage licence. She read it, and turned aside her face in confusion, saying:
“Well, I’ve got to get ready. Shall you come an’ tell Gran’ma?”
“Is there any need?” he answered reluctantly.
“Yes, you come an tell ’er,” persuaded Meg.
He got down from the trap. I preferred to stay out of doors. Presently Meg ran out with a glass of beer for me.
“We shan’t be many minutes,” she apologised. “I’ve on’y to slip another frock on.”
I heard George go heavily up the stairs and enter the room over the bar-parlour, where the grandmother lay bed-ridden.
“What, is it thaïgh, ma lad? What are thaïgh doin’ ’ere this mornin’?” she asked.
“Well A’nt, how does ta feel by now?” he said.
“Eh, sadly, lad, sadly! It’ll not be long afore they carry me downstairs head first——”