reached the gate, and he did not wait for Mavis. He had no need,
for she had hurried to his side when he halted at the steps of the
porch.

"Uncle Lige," he said, "me an' Mavis hyeh want to git married."

Not the faintest surprise showed in Mavis's face, little as she
knew what his purpose was, for what the master did was right; but
the old woman and the old man were stunned into silence and
neither could smile.

"Have you got yo' license?" the old man asked gravely.

"Whut's a license?"

"You got to git a license from the county clerk afore you can git
married, an' hit costs two dollars."

The boy flinched, but only for a moment.

"I kin borrer the money," he said stoutly.

"But you can't git a license--you ain't a man."

"I ain't!" cried the boy hotly; "I GOT to be!"

"Come in hyeh, Jason," said the old man, for it was time to leave
off evasion, and he led the lad into the house while Mavis, with
the old woman's arm around her, waited in the porch. Jason came
out baffled and pale.