“’Twas very private-like, d’ye see, Sabina,” said William, who had been energetically pumping her hand up and down. “Martha, here--I mean Miss Jesty, no, I mean Mrs. Faithfull--she did want it private, along of her father being dead.” “Have ye been a-buryin’ of en to-day?” interrupted the newcomer with an awe-struck glance at his sable garb. “No, no--of course not. But why did ye go for to get married in deep?” “My ’usband,” said Martha repressively, “thought it but right to show respect to them that’s gone, Mrs. Gully--I think ye said your cousin’s name was Gully, William; I s’pose this is your cousin?” “’E-es, to be sure,” agreed the owner of that name, cheerfully. “Half-cousin, if ye like it better--our mothers was two brothers’ daughters.” “Indeed,” said Martha stiffly. “I must wish ’ee good-day now, for William an’ me be in a hurry to catch train.” Mrs. Gully’s jaw dropped, but the carpenter, after hastily explaining that they weren’t having any party along of the mourning, invited her to come home and take a bite o’ summat with him and his wife before they went to the station. A frown from Martha intimated that she considered this hospitality ill-timed, but William stuck to his point, and they all three turned their steps together towards the Pure Drop. “I think I’ll hurry on an’ change my dress,” remarked Martha, after stalking on for some moments in silence. She was not going to travel in her best black and get the crape all messed about with dust. “Don’t mind me, William, my dear,” said Sabina, when the bride had left them. “If you’re wanting to change your deep, ye’d best hurry on, too, maybe.” “I’ve no need to change my suit,” returned William sorrowfully. “I bain’t a-goin’ on the honeymoon.” “What!” cried the widow, in astonishment. “She’s never goin’ to leave ye on your weddin’ day?” “She be,” said Mr. Faithfull slowly. “It do seem a bit hard, but we couldn’t both on us leave the house, an’ she haven’t a-had a holiday for twenty year. Ye see, it fell out this way--” And he proceeded to explain the circumstances, already related, on which Mrs. Gully animadverted with much warmth. They were still discussing the matter when Martha rejoined them in the private room of the Pure Drop, where a slight refection had been set forth. This was partaken of hastily, and for the most part in silence, and at its conclusion Mrs. Faithfull jumped up and took a ceremonious farewell of her new cousin. William shouldered his wife’s bag and set forth beside her. Martha beguiled the walk to the station by a variety of injunctions, all of which the new landlord of the Pure Drop promised to heed and obey. It was not until she had actually taken her seat in the railway carriage that she found time for sentiment, and then, embracing her husband, she expressed the affectionate hope that he would not be lonely during her absence. William clambered out of the compartment and carefully closed the door before he answered:--