out, gently
closing the door behind her.

Five minutes later Mr. Hearty entered. From the movement of his
fingers, it was obvious that he was ill at ease.

"'Ullo, 'Earty!" said Bindle genially.

"Good evening, Joseph," responded Mr. Hearty.

"Trade good?" enquired Bindle conversationally.

"Quite good, thank you, Joseph," was the response.

"Goin' to open any more shops?" was the next question.

Mr. Hearty shook his head.

Bindle sucked contentedly at his pipe.

"Won't you sit down, 'Earty?" he asked solicitously.

Mr. Hearty sat down mechanically, then, a moment later, rose to his
feet.

"Now, 'Earty," said Bindle, "you and me are goin' to 'ave a little
talk about Millikins."

Mr. Hearty stiffened visibly.

"I--I don't understand," he said.

"You jest wait a minute, 'Earty, an' you'll understand a rare lot. Now
are you, or are you not, goin' to let them kids get married?"

"Most emphatically not," said Mr. Hearty with decision. "Millie is too
young; she's not twenty yet."

"Now ain't you jest tiresome, 'Earty. 'Ere 'ave I been arrangin' for
the weddin' for next Toosday, and you go and say it ain't comin' orf;
you should 'ave told me this before."

"But Millie only asked me this morning," protested Mr. Hearty, whose
literalness always placed him at a disadvantage with Bindle.

"Did she really?" remarked Bindle. "Dear me! an' she knew she was
goin' to get married last night. Never could understand women," he
remarked, shaking his head hopelessly.

Mr. Hearty was at a loss. He had been prepared for unpleasantness; but
this geniality on the part of his brother-in-law he found disarming.

"I have been forced to tell you before, Joseph," he said with some
asperity, "that I cannot permit you to interfere in my private
affairs."

"Quite right, 'Earty," agreed Bindle genially, "quite right, you said
it in them very words." Bindle's imperturbability caused Mr. Hearty to
look at him anxiously.

"Then why do you come here to-night and--and----?" He broke off
nervously.

"I was always like that, 'Earty. Never seemed able to take no for an
answer. Now wot are you goin' to give 'em for a weddin'-breakfast?" he
enquired. "An' 'ave we got to bring our own meat-tickets?"

"I have just told you, Joseph," remarked Mr. Hearty angrily, "that
they are not going to be married."

"Now ain't that a pity," remarked Bindle, as, having re-filled his
pipe, he proceeded to light it. "Now ain't that a pity. I been a