The bridegroom's family drew together at one side of the room, Kimbro Cleaverage, in his decent best, looking half affrightedly at the man who was miscalling his son; Roxy Griever, divided between her allegiance to the caste of preachers, all and singular, and tribal pride; Sylvane clutching his hands into fists, and hoping that Buddy would get the better of the argument; while Mary Ann Martha, in the grasp of Polly Griever, glowered and wondered. "Lance Cleaverage," returned Drumright ponderously, "I respect yo' father, for he's a good man. I respect yo' sister--she's one too; for their sake I come here to perform this marriage, greatly agin my grain." He was taking a long breath, having barely got under way, when Lance stopped him with a curt, "Well,--are you goin' to do it--or are you not?" People gazed with open mouths and protruding eyes. Where were the lightnings of Heaven, set apart for the destruction of the impious? Drumright himself was momentarily staggered. "Er, yes--I am," he said finally, wagging his head in an obstinate, bovine shake. "After I've said my say, I aim to marry ye." [97] The little points of light that always danced deep down in Lance Cleaverage's eyes, flamed up like clear lamps at this statement. "No, you'll not," he said promptly. "You'll marry us now--or not at all. If I wanted any of your talk, I'd come to your church and get it. I don't want any." All this time his arm had been round Callista, the hand closed on her slim waist gently, but with a grip of steel. Had she wished to stir from his side, she could scarcely have done so. Now he turned toward the door and moved quietly away from the astonished preacher, taking her with him. "Whar--whar you goin'?" faltered Drumright, dumbfounded. "Down to Sourwood Gap to be wedded," the bridegroom flung back in his face. "Squire Ashe is up there from Hepzibah--he'll marry us without haulin' us over the coals first." And he made his way through the roomful of mute, dazed, unprotesting people. At the door he paused, and, with the air of a man alone with his beloved in desert spaces, bent and murmured something in the ear of his bride, then ran lightly down the steps and out into the dark to where the horses were tethered. He returned quickly, leading his two black ponies.