by Hardy Thomas
The two sat down very quietly to tea in Bathsheba's parlour in the evening of the same day, for it had been arranged that Farmer Oak should go there to live, since he had as yet neither money, house, nor furniture worthy of the name, though he was on a sure way towards them, whilst Bathsheba was, comparatively, in a plethora of all three.
Just as Bathsheba was pouring out a cup of tea, their ears were greeted by the firing of a cannon, followed by what seemed like a tremendous blowing of trumpets, in the front of the house.
"There!" said Oak, laughing, "I knew those fellows were up to something, by the look on their face; "
Oak took up the light and went into the porch, followed by Bathsheba with a shawl over her head. The rays fell upon a group of male figures gathered upon the gravel in front, who, when they saw the newly-married couple in the porch, set up a loud "Hurrah!" and at the same moment bang again went the cannon in the background, followed by a hideous clang of music from a drum, tambourine, clarionet, serpent, hautboy, tenorviol, and double-bass - the only remaining relics of the true and original Weatherbury band - venerable wormeaten instruments, which had celebrated in their own persons the victories of Marlhorough, under the fingers of the forefathers of those who played them now. The performers came forward, and marched up to the front.
"Those bright boys, Mark Clark and Jan, are at the bottom of all this." said Oak. "Come in, souls, and have something to eat and drink wi' me and my wife."
"Not to-night." said Mr. Clark, with evident selfdenial. "Thank ye all the same; but we'll call at a more seemly time. However, we couldn't think of letting the day pass without a note of admiration of some sort. If ye could send a drop of som'at down to Warren's, why so it is. Here's long life and happiness to neighbour Oak and his comely bride!"
"Thank ye; thank ye all." said Gabriel. "A bit and a drop shall be sent to Warren's for ye at once. I had a thought that we might very likely get a salute of some sort from our old friends, and I was saying so to my wife but now."
"Faith." said Coggan, in a critical tone, turning to his companions, "the man hev learnt to say "my wife" in a wonderful naterel way, considering how very youthful he is in wedlock as yet - hey, neighbours all?"
"I never heerd a skilful old married feller of twenty years" standing pipe "my wife" in a more used note than 'a did." said Jacob Smallbury. "It might have been a little more true to nater if't had been spoke a little chillier, but that wasn't to be expected just now.
"That improvement will come wi' time." said Jan, twirling his eye.
Then Oak laughed, and Bathsheba smiled (for she never laughed readily now), and their friends turned to go.
"Yes; I suppose that's the size o't." said Joseph Poorgrass with a cheerful sigh as they moved away;
"and I wish him joy o' her; though I were once or twice upon saying to-day with holy Hosea, in my scripture manner, which is my second nature. "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone." But since 'tis as 'tis why, it might have been worse, and I feel my thanks accordingly."
THE END
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