Revitts looked very serious here, and sat listening for the answer.
“Kep’ him precious poor; but, stop a moment, I ain’t quite right. It was five children in ten years.”
Revitts made another serious assault on my ribs, and I saw Mary give herself a hitch; and whisper again to her lord.
There was a general laugh at this stale old joke, which, like many more well-worn ones, however, seemed to take better than the keenest wit, and just then the omnibus drew up in front of an inn to change horses.
The driver unbuckled and threw down his reins, previous to descending to join the conductor, who was already off his perch. Several of the passengers got down, and after bidding Mary and me keep our places, Revitts prepared to descend, rather more slowly though, for his wedding garments were not commodious.
“Don’t drink anything, William dear,” whispered Mary.
“Not drink anything to-day?” he said, laughing. “Oh, come, that won’t do!”
He jumped off the step, and I saw him join the driver and conductor, who laughed and nodded, and, directly after, each man had a foaming pint of ale, which they held before putting to their lips, till Revitts came round to our side with a waiter bearing two glasses of wine and another pint of ale, the driver and conductor following.
“Oh, I don’t want anything,” said Mary, rather sharply.
“It’s only sherry wine, my dear,” said Revitts magnificently; and, as if to avoid remark, Mary stooped down and took the glasses, one being for me, Revitts taking his shiny pewter measure of ale.