"Neither Mr. Southey—that is the Registrar—nor Mr. Freeman—that's the Assistant-Registrar—has yet arrived, sir."
"It is very extraordinary they should be late. Do they never keep their appointments?"
"They rarely arrives before ten, sir."
"Before ten! What time is it now?"
"Only just ten. I am the regular attendant. I'll see yer through it; no necessity to hagitate yerself. It will be done quietly in a private room—a very nice room too, fourteen feet by ten high—them's the regulations; all the chairs covered with leather; a very nice comfortable room. Would yer like to see the room? Would yer like to sit down there and wait? There's a party to be married before you. But they won't mind you. He's a butcher by trade."
"And what is she?"
"I think she's a tailoress; they lives close by here, they do."
"And who are you, and where do you live?"
"I'm the regular attendant; I lives close by here."
"Where close by?"