“Though I think we ought to apologise for asking such a thing,”said Mary haughtily.

“No,”said Durant. “It will be best all round.”He was glad there was no more bother.

“And shall we put up the banns here or go to the registrar·”he asked clearly, like a challenge.

“We will go to the registrar,”replied Louis decidedly.

Again there was a dead silence in the room.

“Well, if you will have your own way, you must go your own way,”said the mother emphatically.

All the time Mr. Massy had sat obscure and unnoticed in a corner of the room. At this juncture he got up, saying:“There is baby, Mary.”

Mary rose and went out of the room, stately; her little husband padded after her. Durant watched the fragile, small man go, wondering.

“And where,” asked the vicar, almost genial, “do you think you will go when you are married·”

Durant started.

“I was thinking of emigrating,” he said.

“To Canada· Or where·”

“I think to Canada.”

“Yes, that would be very good,”

Again there was a pause.

“We shan’t see much of you then, as a son-in-law,” said the mother, roughly but amicably.

“Not much,” he said.

Then he took his leave. Louisa went with him to the gate. She stood before him in distress. “You won’t mind them, will you·” she said humbly.

“I don’t mind them, if they don’t mind me!” he said. Then he stooped and kissed her.

“Let us be married soon,” she murmured, in tears.

“All right,” he said. “I’ll go tomorrow to Barford.”