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"Lead?" "Ay, naybours all," broke in Farmer Tresidder, his bald head bedewed with sweat, "I don't want to abash 'ee, Lord knows; but 'tis trew as doom that I be a passing well-to-do chap.
She was soaked through and through, and the seaweed still clung about her hair. Jacob Tresidder stood watching her like a man in a dream as she lay there white and silent. "Us be mighty sore fer ee, so us be!" said old Benjamin Blake, who had helped to bring her home. "But teddin fer yew nor I, Jacob, tu go fornenst His will." And he went out crying like a child.
Then the voice of Parson Babbage was lifted: "I publish the Banns of marriage between Zebedee Minards, bachelor, and Ruby Tresidder, spinster, both of this parish. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons " At this instant the church-door flew open, as if driven in by the wind that tore up the aisle in an icy current. All heads were turned.
"Briefly," he went on, "I can stay on one condition only that I marry you." She rose from her seat and stood, grasping the back rail of the chair. "Don't be alarmed. I merely state the condition, but of course it's awkward: you're already bound. "Father " began the girl, rather for the sake of hearing her own voice than because she knew what to say. Farmer Tresidder groaned.
The turn of events has made it likely that I shall pass my days in this neighbourhood, and I wish to clear up all possible misconceptions at the start. In the first place, I am going to marry Miss Ruby Tresidder. Our banns will be asked in church to-morrow; but let us have a rehearsal. Can any man here show cause or just impediment why this marriage should not take place?"
There's a hole in the roof of that new cottage of his that a man may put his Sunday hat dro'; and as for his old Woman, she'll do nought but sit 'pon the lime-ash floor wi' her tout-serve over her head, an' call en ivery name but what he was chris'ened." "Nothin' but neck-an'-crop would do for Tresidder, I'm told," said Old Zeb.
"'I've a-sarved 'ee faithful, said Jim, 'an' now you turns me out wi' a week's warnin'. 'You've a-crossed my will, says Tresidder, 'an' I've engaged a more pushin' hind in your place. 'Tis a new fashion o' speech wi' Tresidder nowadays." "Ay, modern words be drivin' out the old forms.
"'Tis Ruby Tresidder!" cried one of the girls; "'Wudn' be i' thy shoon, Young Zeb, for summatt." Zeb shook his wits together and dashed off towards the spot, twenty yards away, where Ruby stood holding the lantern high, its ray full on her face. As she started she kicked off her clogs, turned, and ran for her life. Then, in an instant, a new game began upon the sands.
"'May so well go home to breakfast," said Elias Sweetland, grimly, as he took in what the uncertain light could show. "Here, Young Zeb, look through my glass," sang out Farmer Tresidder, handing the telescope.
"I've a notion they'll fit me," was all the stranger answered, dropping on one knee and beginning to unfasten the cumbrous boots he had borrowed of Farmer Tresidder. Indeed, the curious likeness in build of these two men a likeness accentuated, rather than slurred, by their contrast in colour and face, was now seen to extend even to their feet.
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