The marriage was to take place at noon, and though I had much to see
to, never have I known a longer morning. Why it was I cannot say, but it
seemed to me as though twelve o'clock would never come. Then, wherever
I went there was Ralph in my way, wandering about in a senseless fashion
with his best clothes on, while after him wandered Jan holding his new
hat in his hand.

"In the name of Heaven," I cried at length as I blundered into both of
them in the kitchen, "be off out of this. Why are you here?"

"Allemachter!" said Jan, "because we have nowhere else to go. They are
making the sitting-room ready for the service and the dinner after it;
the _predicant_ is in Ralph's room writing; Suzanne is in yours trying
on her clothes, and the _stoep_ and even the stables are full of
Kaffirs. Where, then, shall we go?"

"Cannot you see to the waggon?" I asked.

"We have seen to it, mother," said Ralph; "it is packed, and the oxen
are already tied to the yokes for fear lest they should stray."

"Then be off and sit in it and smoke till I come to call you," I
replied, and away they walked shamefacedly enough, Ralph first, and Jan
following him.

At twelve o'clock I went for them, and found them both seated on the
waggon-chest smoking like chimneys, and saying nothing.

"Come, Ralph," I said, "it is quite time for you to be married," and he