“Who nearly got you?” inquired the bishop.
“Why, Miss—— Say, Bishop, could you marry a couple that might drop in on you casually, suddenly, say just as though it were this afternoon?”
“I could,” was the reply, “provided I was not trenching on the preserves of the parish priest, and provided the couple brought along their marriage license.”
“Their what?”
“Their marriage license.”
“A fellow can’t get married unless he has a marriage license?”
“Not in this state.”
“And has he got to get the license himself?”
“He must apply for it in person. But let me ask: what is the meaning of all these questions?”
Barry did not reply. He heaved another great sigh of relief, and settled back in his chair. He had discovered a new barrier against sudden matrimony. When he did speak again he chose to change the subject.