Suddenly into his mind crept the consciousness of a vast silence. The voice had stopped. The abrupt cessation of sound whipped his quivering nerves. It was like the holding of a great breath.
He gathered his forces. He knew that the huge concourse waited. A question had been put to him. It seemed as if the world stood still to listen.
He moistened his lips. He knew what he had meant to say, but his tongue was a traitor to his desire. What use now to plead? The soundlessness grew intolerable. He thought he should cry aloud.
And then—
"I will," he said, and, looking sideways, caught the swift shy glance of his bride.
The Master Plumber. "I've never seed a bloke take so long over a job in all me life. That lad'll go far."