REFUSED!
The carrier walked slowly and reluctantly to Langford. He was uncomfortable with the answer he had to take to Taverner Langford. Oliver was a kindly man, ready to oblige any one, shrinking from nothing so sensitively as from a rough word and an angry mood. 'It would have saved a lot of trouble,' said he to himself, 'if Honor had given way. I shouldn't have been so out of countenance now—and it does seem an ungrateful thing after the loan of the horse.'
He found Langford in his parlour at his desk. The old man spun round on his seat.
'Ah, ha!' said he, 'come at my call, father-in-law. Well—when is the wedding to be?'
The carrier stood stupidly looking at him, rubbing his hands together and shifting from foot to foot. 'The wedding!'
'Yes, man, the wedding; when is it to be?'
'The wedding!' repeated Oliver, looking through the window for help. 'I'm sure I don't know.'
'You must find that out. I'm impatient to be married. Ha, ha! what faces the Nanspians will pull, father and son, when they see me lead from church a blooming, blushing bride.'
'Well, now,' said the carrier, wiping the perspiration from his brow, 'I'm sorry to have to say it, but Honor don't see it in the proper light.'
'What—refuses me?'