This spectacle restoring her to a sense
of the proprieties, she stood for some few moments
silent, with her mouth wide open; and then, posting
off to the bed on which the Baby lay asleep, danced
in a weird, Saint Vitus manner on the floor, and at
the same time rummaged with her face and head
among the bedclothes, apparently deriving much re-
lief from those extraordinary operations.
'Mary!' said Bertha. 'Not at the marriage!'
'I told her you would not be there mum,' whispered
Caleb. 'I heard as much last night. Bless you,' said
the little man, taking her tenderly by both hands,
'I don't care for what they say. I don't believe them.
There an't much of me, but that little should be torn
to pieces sooner than I'd trust a word against you!'
He put hls arms about her and hugged her, as a
child might have hugged one of his own dolls.
'Bertha couldn't stay at home this morning,' said
Caleb. She was afraid, I know, to hear the bells
ring, and couldn't trust herself to be so near them
on their wedding-day. So we started in good time,
and came here.
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