"Won't you sit down, 'Earty?" he asked solicitously.
Mr. Hearty sat down mechanically, then, a moment later, rose to his feet.
"Now, 'Earty," said Bindle, "you and me are goin' to 'ave a little talk about Millikins."
Mr. Hearty stiffened visibly.
"I—I don't understand," he said.
"You jest wait a minute, 'Earty, an' you'll understand a rare lot. Now are you, or are you not, goin' to let them kids get married?"
"Most emphatically not," said Mr. Hearty with decision. "Millie is too young; she's not twenty yet."
"Now ain't you jest tiresome, 'Earty. 'Ere 'ave I been arrangin' for the weddin' for next Toosday, and you go and say it ain't comin' orf; you should 'ave told me this before."
"But Millie only asked me this morning," protested Mr. Hearty, whose literalness always placed him at a disadvantage with Bindle.
"Did she really?" remarked Bindle. "Dear me! an' she knew she was goin' to get married last night. Never could understand women," he remarked, shaking his head hopelessly.