"I'll ask mother. And whenever she says—will that do, Peter?"
Late every winter Mrs. Pentle took a month's trip South. She had returned from that trip South and was making the rounds of the store. She came to the shipping-room, looked round, asked Flaxley a few questions about things; and then, as she was about to go:
"I don't see Captain Crudden. He is not sick?"
"Peter's gone, ma'am," said Flaxley. "Mr. Henston and Peter had words, ma'am, and Peter put on his coat and walked out."
"What!"
"Yes'm. But before he put on his coat he threw Mr. Henston into the passageway. Then he went and got married," he added.
"Peter married!"
"Yes, ma'am. He surprised us, too—that is, gettin' married so quick."
"Whom did he marry?"
"Miss Hern, from the notions counter."