Sol’s head went up and his chest went out, as they were entitled to do, for Jim was considered quite a handsome fellow in his own way.
CHAPTER XVI
The Breakaway
The hour that followed was a busy one. Betty was whisked away by Phil to Mrs. Clunie’s for a good, substantial home-made dinner and a general overhaul. Sol rushed home for his new, check suit, then off to the registrar’s for the marriage license accompanied by Jim. Phil next unearthed the valiant Smiler from the basement of a Chinese restaurant in Wynd Alley where he was busy sampling the current day’s bill of fare, gratis. Phil hauled him off to the barber’s for a wash and a haircut, then to the O.K. Supply Store for new clothes, over and under, which set the poor dumb little rascal wondering as to what sin he had committed to warrant the infliction.
The Reverend Anthony Stormer––the venerable old Lutheran pastor––was next informed of the expected arrivals; and, by the time Jim came along upholding Sol in a state of nervous prostration, all was in readiness for the ceremony.
Ten minutes later, Mrs. Clunie arrived escorting Betty Jornsen; pretty, buxom and beaming, and as full of confidence as Smiler was of Chinese noodles.
Smiler could not understand then what the ceremony was all about, nor did he seem to gain any further enlightenment on the matter at any later date.
It was all over within two hours of Betty’s arrival in Vernock.