"It must be the lawyer, then," said the Rector, "for every lawyer has a voice of silver--passes it for silver anyway."
And then, amid the general laughter, the lawyer opened the marriage contract and began to read.
XI
The company listened intently, and at the close of every clause the Governor, who was resting his head on his hand and his elbow on the table, said: "Good!" "Very good!" "Generous!" "Most generous!"
When the lawyer had finished, the other old people leaned back and drew long breaths of satisfaction, but the Governor rose and crossed to the Factor and shook hands with him, saying: "Just like you, old friend!"
The Factor was gratified by the reception of the document and became bright and almost humorous. Imitating the manner of the auctioneer, he cried: "Anybody bid higher? Then going--going--go----"
"Wait!" said the Governor. "Hadn't we better ask the opinion of the young people themselves? After all, they are the persons ultimately concerned, and though a cow seldom kicks when you are carrying her clover----"
There was a general titter, a nodding of many heads and muttered responses of "Just so!" "Just a matter of form!"
"Very well! Thora, what do you say?" said the Factor, expecting a burst of rapturous approval, but Thora only answered timidly:
"I don't know. Hadn't you better ask Magnus first?"