'He is the maker of musical instruments,' I explained. 'Alice, what if--in the cart----' 'Oh, Will--if it were----' Know that my great desire was to possess a harpsichord, which for purposes of composition is almost a necessity. But such an instrument was altogether beyond my hopes. I might as well have yearned for an organ. He stopped where the houses began and looked about him. He made straight for our door which was open and knocked gently with his knuckles. Alice went out to meet him. By this time he had put on his wig and stood with his hat under his arm. 'The newly married lady of my young friend, Master Will Halliday?' he asked. 'I knew it. In such a matter I am never wrong. Virtue, Madam, sits on thy brow, Love upon thy lips. Permit an old man--yet a friend of thy worthy husband'--so saying he kissed her with great ceremony. Then at length, the room being rather dark after the bright sunshine, he perceived me, and shaking hands wished me every kind of happiness. 'I am old,' he said, 'and it is too late for me to become acquainted with Love. Yet I am assured that if two people truly love one another, to the bearing of each other's burdens: to working for each other: then may life be stripped of half its terrors. I say nothing of the blessing of children, the support and prop of old age. My children, love each other always,' Alice took my hand. 'For better for worse; in poverty and in riches: love each other always.' I drew my girl closer and kissed her. The old man coughed huskily. 'Twas a tender heart, even at seventy. Alice gave him a chair: she also brought out the wedding cake (which she made herself--a better cake was never made) and she opened the bottle of cherry brandy we had laid in for occasions. He took a glass of the cordial to the health of the bride, and ate a piece of bride cake to our good luck. 'This fellow ought to be fortunate,' he said, nodding at me. 'He has given up all for the sake of music. He ought to be rewarded. He might have been the richest merchant on Change. But he preferred to be a musician, and to begin at the lowest part of the ladder. It is wonderful devotion.' 'Sir, I have never regretted my decision.' 'That is still more wonderful. No--no--I am wrong'--he laughed--'quite wrong. If you were to regret it, now, you would be the most thankless dog in the world. Aha! The recompense begins--in full measure--overflowing--with such a bride.' 'Oh! Sir,' murmured Alice blushing. He took a second glass of cherry brandy and began a speech of some length of which I only remember the conclusion.