the same consideration as themselves. And then, astonished by the number
of mothers who were not wives, that he discovered on his rounds, he had
announced that he would open the church on the first Saturday night in
every month to marry any couples without needless questions. They could
pay, if they chose, but nothing was expected.

Jonah and Ada jumped at the idea, but Mrs Yabsley thought with sorrow of
her cherished dream--Ada married on a fine day of sunshine, Cardigan
Street in an uproar, a feast where all could cut and come again, the clink
of glasses, and a chorus that shook the windows. Well, such things were
not to be, and she shut her mouth grimly. But she determined in secret to
get in a dozen of beer, and invite a few friends after the ceremony to
drink the health of the newly married, and keep the secret till they got
home. And as she was rather suspicious of a wedding that cost nothing,
she decided to give the parson a dollar to seal the bargain and make the
contract more binding.




CHAPTER 7



A QUIET WEDDING


The following Saturday Mrs Yabsley astonished her customers by delivering
the shirts and collars in the afternoon. There were cries of amazement.