Billy shrugged his shoulders. "Where’s the cheek? What a silly man you are! Ax your father if I’ve said a syllable more than the truth. I’m only sorry about it. Of course the likes of me, with my skilled inventions and general cleverness, ban’t worthy to be your brother-in-law--you with your great ideas and your five hundred pounds--left to you by somebody else. But, maybe, your father may feel different. A father can understand a father. ’Tis for him to speak now, not you, and say what he thinks had better be done about his child--and mine." "There’s only one thing to be done, and that afore the month is out," said Mr. Bowden. "And you know what, for all your sly jokes, Billy. The pair of you have bested me. Well, I know when I’m beat. And the sooner the wedding be held, the better for everybody’s credit." Billy pretended immense surprise. "You mean as you’ll call home all them high words, master?" "Every one of ’em," answered Elias, calmly. "If I’d been a bit sharper, I might have guessed as you and her would find a way. You have found it--’tis vain to deny that. So there’s nothing to do but wed; and I hope you’ll live to make good your promises; and so soon as you do, I’ll be the first to up and own I misjudged you." "That’s fair and sportsmanlike, master, and I’ll be as good as you; and if my new rabbit trap don’t make you proud of me for a son-in-law, Elias Bowden, you ban’t the honest man I think." "It’s settled then," said David, rising, and eager to be away. "On one condition," answered the other; "that me and Dorcas have a proper show wedding, same as David here had. Us won’t have no hole and corner sort of job; and there’s no reason why we should. Only us and you know about it." "She shall have a perfectly right and proper wedding, Billy," declared Mr. Bowden. "Very good," answered the other; "and the day after we’m married and my Dorcas comes here to live, I’ll show you the trap, and save you twenty pounds a year if a penny." Mr. Screech rose and indicated that the interview was ended. "The banns go up on Sunday," he said. "Have no fear of me. I’m in quite so much of a hurry as anybody." Mrs. Screech, who had heard everything from behind the door, crept off, and the Bowdens departed, while Billy went as far as the gate with them. "Please give Dorcas my respects, and tell her I’ll be up over to tea on Sunday, if agreeable to all parties," he said. "I will, William," answered Elias, mildly; "and ’twill be quite agreeable, I assure you."