Faith said "Oh!" She blinked her eyes as if she had been asleep.
She had always thought that directly you were married, you felt quite
different, but no wonderful metamorphosis had come about so far. She
felt just herself, save for a dull sort of nervous headache.
She signed her name on the line pointed out to her and stood aimlessly
holding the pen. The man who had married them was filling in a form and
the Beggar Man was watching him.
Faith glanced down at her left hand. A brand new gold ring shone on her
third finger. She spread her hand out and stared at it.
The registrar folded up his papers and shook hands with the Beggar Man.
Then he shook hands with Faith and wished her luck.
Faith said "Thank you." She thought he was very kind. She liked the way
he smiled.
Then the Beggar Man spoke to her.
"Well--are you ready?"
Faith started. She had been dreaming again.
"Quite ready," she said, and followed him outside to where a taxi was
waiting. Presently they were driving away together.
The Beggar Man sat beside her. After a moment he began to speak rapidly.
"We're going to have some lunch at my flat. I've got a flat in the West
End. I shall give it up now we're married, of course, but I thought it
would do for the present--just till I come back and we can look round."
"Isn't it rather early for lunch?" Faith asked, helplessly.
"Is it? Well, we can have a glass of wine and some sandwiches. I've got
such a little time. My train goes at twelve...." He looked down at her
with sudden fire in his eyes. "I wish I had not got to go!" he said,
vehemently.
"Do you?" said Faith nervously. She shrank a little from him. "You said
you would soon be back," she added.
"I know--but on one's wedding day...." He broke off abruptly as the cab
stopped. "Here we are."
He held his hand to her, but she avoided it. Fear was upon her once
again.
The flat was on the first floor, and the Beggar Man opened the door with
his latch-key.
"I bought some flowers and things," he said helplessly. "But it doesn't
look very grand. What is it?"
Faith had given a little cry.
"Oh, but it's lovely! lovely!" She had forgotten her shyness. She was
running round the room like a delighted child looking at the pictures
and ornaments with which it was filled.
He made her drink a glass of wine and eat some cake, but all the time
her eyes were wandering round the room, lost in admiration.
He watched her with a chagrined smile. Surely this was the oddest of
wedding days, he thought. A shabby little bride, who had no eyes for her
groom, but who sat and stared with rapt attention at such things as
chairs and pictures and ornaments.
And the time was flying--flying. He looked impatiently at the clock, and
then at the girl who was now his wife. And suddenly it was he who felt
shy and tongue-tied.
She met his eyes and flushed, without knowing why, and the Beggar Man
rose to his feet and went round the table to where she sat.
"You're my wife now, you know," he said.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account