"It was a boy and a gal, sir!"
"A what?" questioned the judge—perplexity.
"A boy and a gal, sir; twins, sir, they is," replied Reuben Gray, joy getting the mastery over every other expression in his beaming countenance.
"Why—you don't mean to tell me that your wife has presented you with twins?" exclaimed the judge, both surprised and amused at the announcement.
"Well, yes, sir," said Reuben proudly.
"But you are such an elderly couple!" laughed the judge.
"Well, yes, sir, so we is! And that, I take it, is the very reason on't. You see, I think, sir, because we married very late in life—poor Hannah and me—natur' took a consideration on to it, and, as we hadn't much time before us, she sent us two at once! at least, if that aint the reason, I can't account for them both in any other way!" said Reuben, looking up.
"That's it! You've hit it, Reuben!" said the judge, laughing. "And mind, if they live, I'll stand godfather to the babies at the christening. Are they fine healthy children?"
"As bouncing babies, sir, as ever you set eyes on!" answered Reuben triumphantly.
"Count on me, then, Gray."