n
behind like, Joe, just as if I knew nothin' about it,' suggested
Crumb.

'Don't you say a word of me, and she won't say nothing, you may be
sure. You ain't going to give in to all her cantraps that way, John?'
John shook his head and rubbed the meal about on his forehead. 'It was
only just something for her to say. What have I done that she should
object to me?'

'You didn't ever go for to--kiss her,--did you, Joe?'

'What a one'er you are! That wouldn't 'a set her again me. It is just
because I stood up and spoke for you like a man that night at Sheep's
Acre, when her mind was turned the other way. Don't you notice nothing
about it. When we're all in the church she won't go back because Joe
Mixet's there. I'll bet you a gallon, old fellow, she and I are the
best friends in Bungay before six months are gone.'

'Nay, nay; she must have a better friend than thee, Joe, or I must
know the reason why.' But John Crumb's heart was too big for jealousy,
and he agreed at last that Joe Mixet should be his best man,
undertaking to 'square it all' with Ruby, after the ceremony.

He met the ladies at the station and,--for him,--was quite eloquent in
his welcome to Mrs Hurtle and Mrs Pipkin. To Ruby he said but little.
But he looked at her in her new hat, and generally bright in subsidiary
wedding garments, with great delight. 'Ain't she bootiful now?' he
said aloud to Mrs Hurtle on the platform, to the great delight of half
Bungay, who had accompanied him on the occasion. Ruby, hearing her
praises thus sung, made a fearful grimace as she turned round to Mrs
Pipkin, and whispered to her aunt, so that those only who were within
a yard or two could hear her: 'He is such a fool!' Then he conducted
Mrs Hurtle in an omnibus up to the Inn, and afterwards himself drove
Mrs Pipkin and Ruby out to Sheep's Acre; in the performance of all
which duties he was dressed in the green cutaway coat with brass
buttons which had been expressly made for his marriage. 'Thou'rt come
back then, Ruby,' said the old man.

'I ain't going to trouble you long, grandfather,' said the girl.

'So best;--so best. And this is Mrs Pipkin?'

'Yes, Mr Ruggles; that's my name.'

'I've heard your name. I've heard your name, and I don't know as I
ever want to hear it again. But they say as you've been kind to that
girl as 'd 'a been on the town only for that.'

'Grandfather, that ain't true,' said Ruby with energy. The old man
made no rejoinder, and Ruby was