Oblivious of the flight of time, the mid-day sun shone in upon them, still absorbed in each other. It would be impossible to say how long this state of things might have continued had not Daddy inadvertantly called Recta's attention to her household duties. "'Tween you and me, I want fur tu git married afore night," he was saying, when Recta suddenly sprang to her feet in dire dismay. "Why Philip," she exclaimed, "how can I get married and all this work on hand?" "I'm kinder thinkin we ken hev the job did, and then I ken help you fur to do the work." Recta, demurred, but overwhelmed with persuasions, she finally consented to confer with her sister, living near by, and the result was, they were married before night, which fully accorded with Daddy's desires. The next morning the atmosphere of the house had materially changed: but the aspect not. Lilly Foot luxuriated on a warm breakfast, and strutted about the house complacently wagging his tail, and green-eyed pussy purred contentedly behind the kitchen stove. But still confronting Recta was the untouched white-wash, unwashed china, unpolished silver, unmade cake, and the undone condition of things generally. "'Tween you and me, I wouldn't go fur tu du no work to-day," advised Daddy, as Recta made a movement towards setting the house in order. "I reckon, Philip, Miss Sherman will be here in a few days, and I wouldn't get ketched in this plight for nothing. "You ain't a mite like mammy was," said Daddy, holding affectionately on to Recta's dress. "Laws, she would jerk herself away from me, and afore I knowd it be a flying around the house like a whirl-wind, orderin me round 'till I didn' know what fur tu du fust." "O, well, you must let me go now, Philip," said Recta, good-naturedly, "or I won't git nothing done to-day. Now don't tech me again until I git them dishes washed and sot up." "Laws, Recta, don't ask me fur tu wait that long; I'd like fur tu help you, so you'd get through quicker. Now set me tu work, du," "Well, Philip, them things on the line ought to be brought in. I forgot 'em last night." "'Tween you an' me, what made ye forgit 'em?" said Daddy, mischievously. "I reckon when anybody is tagged to me every minute, I can't remember nothing, Philip." At this mild rebuke Daddy laughed immoderately, but he was none the less at her heels. Turn whichever way she would, he was always there, and consequently her work progressed slowly; so slowly, indeed, that the bridal party arrived, and found her illy prepared to meet them. But when the circumstances became known, she was at once absolved from all blame, and loaded with congratulations and presents made wondrously happy. As their services were indispensable, it was decided that the useful old couple should remain through the breaking up and moving season.