Mr. Smith apologized and watched his friend without further criticism.
“Gettin' ready for the wedding, I s'pose?” he said, presently.
Mr. Kybird assented, and his brow darkened as he spoke of surreptitious raids on his stores made by Mrs. Kybird and daughter.
“Their idea of a wedding,” he said, bitterly, “is to dress up and make a show; my idea is a few real good old pals and plenty of licker.”
“You'll 'ave to 'ave both,” observed Nathan Smith, whose knowledge of the sex was pretty accurate.
Mr. Kybird nodded gloomily. “'Melia and Jack don't seem to 'ave been 'itting it off partikler well lately,” he said, slowly. “He's getting more uppish than wot 'e was when 'e come here first. But I got 'im to promise that he'd settle any money that 'e might ever get left him on 'Melia.”
Mr. Smith's inscrutable eyes glistened into something as nearly approaching a twinkle as they were capable. “That'll settle the five 'undred,” he said, warmly. “Are you goin' to send Cap'n Nugent an invite for the wedding?”
