"There's lots o' things to be taken into consideration," said Mr. Kybird,
truthfully; "it might be as well for you to be married immediate."

"Immediate?" said the astonished Mr. Silk.

"She 'asn't got the nerve to send young Nugent about 'is business,"
explained Mr. Kybird; "she feels sorry for 'im, pore fellow; but 'e's got
a loving and affectionate 'art, and she can't bear 'im making love to
'er. You can understand what it is, can't you?"

"I can imagine it," said Mr. Silk, gloomily, and he flushed crimson as the
possibilities suggested by the remark occurred to him.

"I've been thinking it over for some time," resumed Mr. Kybird; "twisting
it and turning it all ways, and the only thing I can see for it is for
you to be married on the strict q.t. Of course, if you don't like--"

"Like!" repeated the transported Mr. Silk.

"I'll go and be married now, if you like."

Mr. Kybird shook his head at such haste, and then softening a little
observed that it did him credit. He proceeded to improve the occasion by
anecdotes of his own courting some thirty years before, and was in the
middle of a thrilling account of the manner in which he had bearded the
whose of his future wife's family, when a quick step outside, which
paused at the door, brought him to a sudden halt.

"Mother," announced Mr. Silk, in a whisper.