Marjolaine nodded wisely. "You see! Maman had been telling him exactly what she thought about him. Oh, Jack, they are enemies and we must part forever." She stood up and resumed her finest tragedy-queen manner. "It is what they call a blood-feud!"
Jack sprang to his feet. "Then we must marry to wipe it out!" he cried. "Marjory, we must fly!"
"Fly—?"
"Fly!—run away!—elope!"
"Leave Maman—!" cried Marjolaine, very properly shocked. "I could n't do it!"
"You 'd have to if we were married," he argued.
"Afterwards, perhaps," answered the ever-ready Marjolaine, "but not before."
Jack thought he would clinch the matter. "We'll be married at once. Then it'll be afterwards."
"No, no, no!!" cried Marjory. "It's no use." She turned to him with pretty appeal. "Don't ask me, will you?" Then she went on in a tone of middle-aged common-sense: "Besides, we can't be married at once. In your stupid England, the parson has to ask the congregation three times whether they have any objection. As if they could n't make up their minds the first time! and as if it was any of their business at all!"
"Banns—! Hang!" said Jack, scratching his head. That helped him. "I know!" he cried, "Licence!"