him, brokenly--she had to tell somebody--what had happened.
Harris's ejaculations were of sheer amazement, untouched by
disapproval: "Mr. Blair? Married to Miss Elizabeth? My land!
There! He always did git in ahead!" His astounded chuckle was as
confusing as all the rest of it. Nannie, standing under the
single flaring jet of gas, read the letter again. It was, at any
rate, more enlightening than Elizabeth's to her uncle:

"Dear Nannie: Don't have a fit when I tell you Elizabeth and I
are married. She had a row with David, and broke her engagement
with him. We were married this afternoon. I'm afraid mother won't
like it, because, I admit, it's rather sudden. But really it is
the easiest way all round, especially for--other people. It's on
the principle of having your tooth pulled _quick_!--if you
have to have it pulled, instead of by degrees. I'll amount to
something, now, and that will please mother. You tell her that I
will amount to something now! I want you to tell her about it
before I write to her myself--which, of course, I shall do to-
morrow--because it will be easier for her to have it come from
you. Tell her marrying Elizabeth will make a business man of me.
You must tell her as soon as you get this, because probably it
will be in the newspapers. I feel like a cur, asking you to break
it to her, because, of course, it's sort of difficult. She won't
like it, just at first; she never likes anything I do. But it
will be easier for her to hear it first from you. Oh, you dear
old Nancy!--I am nearly out of my head, I'm so happy. . . .

"P.S. We are going off for a month or so. I'll let you know where
to address us when I know myself."