“My stars! ’t is a gashly auld noise sure enough,” criticised Phoebe’s friend frankly; “for all the world like a stuck pig screechin’, or the hum of the threshin’ machine poor faither used to have, heard long ways off.”
Quavering and quivering, with sudden painful flights into a cracked treble, Billy’s effort came to the listeners.
“’Twas on a Monday marnin’
Afore the break of day,
That I tuked up my turmit-hoe
An’ trudged dree mile away!”
Then a rollicking chorus, with rough music in it, surged to their ears—
“An’ the fly, gee hoppee!
The fly, gee whoppee!
The fly be on the turmits,
For ’t is all my eye for me to try
An’ keep min off the turmits!”
Mr. Blee lashed his memory and slowly proceeded, while Chris, moved by a sort of sudden mother-instinct towards pale and tearful Phoebe, strained her to her bosom, hugged her very close, kissed her, and bid her be hopeful and happy.
“Taake gude heart, for you ’m to mate the best man in all the airth but wan!” she said; “an’, if ’t is awnly to keep Billy from singing in public, ’t is a mercy you ban’t gwaine to take Jan Grimbal. Doan’t ’e fear for him. There’ll be a thunder-storm for sartain; then he’ll calm down, as better ’n him have had to ’fore now, an’ find some other gal.”
With this comfort Chris caressed Phoebe once more, heartily pitying her helplessness, and wishing it in her power to undertake the approaching ordeal on the young bride’s behalf. Then she departed, her eyes almost as dim as Phoebe’s. For a moment she forgot her own helpless matrimonial projects in sorrow for her brother and his future wife. Marriage at the registry office represented to her, as to most women, an unlovely, uncomfortable, and unfinished ceremony. She had as easily pictured a funeral without the assistance of the Church as a wedding without it.
CHAPTER IX
OUTSIDE EXETER GAOL
Within less than twelve hours of the time when she bid Chris farewell Phoebe Lyddon was Phoebe Lyddon no more. Will met her at Newton; they immediately proceeded to his uncle’s office; and the Registrar had made them man and wife in space of time so brief that the girl could hardly realise the terrific event was accomplished, and that henceforth she belonged to Will alone. Mr. Ford had his little joke afterwards in the shape of a wedding-breakfast and champagne. He was gratified at the event and rejoiced to be so handsomely and tremendously revenged on his unfortunate enemy. The young couple partook of the good things provided for them; but appetite was lacking to right enjoyment of the banquet, and Will and his wife much desired to escape and be alone.