rom this day forrard,--for
better nor worser,--for richer nor poorer'; and so on to the end. And
when he came to the 'worldly goods' with which he endowed his Ruby, he
was very emphatic indeed. Since the day had been fixed he had employed
all his leisure-hours in learning the words by heart, and would now
hardly allow the clergyman to say them before him. He thoroughly
enjoyed the ceremony, and would have liked to be married over and over
again, every day for a week, had it been possible.

And then there came the breakfast, to which he marshalled the way up
the broad stairs of the inn at Bungay, with Mrs Hurtle on one arm and
Mrs Pipkin on the other. He had been told that he ought to take his
wife's arm on this occasion, but he remarked that he meant to see a
good deal of her in future, and that his opportunities of being civil
to Mrs Hurtle and Mrs Pipkin would be rare. Thus it came to pass that,
in spite of all that poor Ruby had said, she was conducted to the
marriage-feast by Joe Mixet himself. Ruby, I think, had forgotten the
order which she had given in reference to the baker. When desiring
that she might see nothing more of Joe Mixet, she had been in her
pride;--but now she was so tamed and quelled by the outward
circumstances of her position, that she was glad to have some one near
her who knew how to behave himself. 'Mrs Crumb, you have my best
wishes for your continued 'ealth and 'appiness,' said Joe Mixet in a
whisper.

'It's very good of you to say so, Mr Mixet.'

'He's a good 'un; is he.'

'Oh, I dare say.'

'You just be fond of him and stroke him down, and make much of him,
and I'm blessed if you mayn't do a'most anything with him,--all's one
as a babby.'

'A man shouldn't be all's one as a babby, Mr Mixet.'

'And he don't drink hard, but he works hard, and go where he will he
can hold his own.' Ruby said no more, and soon found herself seated by
her husband's side. It certainly was wonderful to her that so many
people should pay John Crumb so much respect, and should seem to think
so little of the meal and flour which pervaded his countenance.

After the breakfast, or 'bit of dinner,' as John Crumb would call it,
Mr Mixet of course made a speech. 'He had had the pleasure of knowing
John Crumb for a great many years, and the honour of being acquainted
with Miss Ruby Ruggles,--he begged all their pardons, and should have
said Mrs John Crumb,--ever since she was a child.' 'That's a downright
story