One voice replied: “Oh no! oh no! don’t let’s.” Another whispered, “No ball!” Some person out of doors, sung out, “Come into court!” and the laughter was general.
The bridesmaids spilt the tallow from their candles all over the floor, in the vain attempt to look serious. One of them had a red mark on her lip for a month afterwards, where she had bit it. The bridegroom put his hands in his pockets, and took them out again; the bride looked as if she would faint—and so did the Squire!
But the Squire was an indefatigable man, and kept trying. His next effort was:
“To all and singular, the sher—”
“Let’s run! he’s going to level on us,” said two or three at once.
Here a gleam of light flashed across the face of Squire Tompkins. That dignitary looked around all at once, with as much satisfaction as Archimedes could have felt, when he discovered the method of ascertaining the specific gravity of bodies. In a grave and dignified manner, he said:
“Mr. Hodgkins, hold up your right hand.”
George Washington obeyed, and held up his hand.
“Miss Polly, hold up yours.”
Polly, in her confusion held up the left hand.