“Yes; Dolly Hedge has sent for us; and as I wanted to go so as to see the wedding at All Faith on Tuesday, I think it is rather lucky that she has sent.”
“How long are you going to stay?”
“Until after the wedding, certainly; perhaps longer.”
“Well, I do feel so ashamed of the Forces for throwing off their own flesh and blood for the sake of a stranger and a foreigner, that I have no patience with them; and I wouldn’t go to the wedding, no, not if it was next door!”
“But, Molly, the young lady fell in love with the English officer; and I think it was very noble of her father to sacrifice his own dearest hopes on the shrine of his daughter’s happiness.”
“Oh, don’t talk to me about shrines and sacrifices! That’s all out of the romances you wear your eyes out reading at night. I believe in neighbors and in kinsfolks, not in strangers and foreigners. There!”
“Well, Molly, you have a right to your own opinions, and the Forces have a right to theirs. You must admit that!”
“Yes; and the heathen have a right to theirs, I suppose you think, Sukey.”
“No; that is carrying the matter too far. But good-by, Molly. We must go now. We will be back as soon as we can.”
The departing ones kissed their relatives, and went out to the block, where Dan stood holding the horse.