You needn't keep the bedroom for me, Mrs. Jobling; for
Bet and me, we are going to Birkenhead for our honeymoon, and on Monday
I'm off on another cruise. By the way"--here Will suddenly remembered
the pretty sealskin purse; he thrust his hand into his trousers
pocket--"is this yourn?" he said, holding the dainty treasure out for
his landlady to see.
"No, no," she said, backing a step or two; "I'd have no call to a
pretty thinglike that--why, it _is_ fine! Looks as if it belonged
to a lady. However did you come by it, Will?"
"That's more than I can tell you, ma'am. It lay on the floor in my
room two nights back, and I picked it up. Well, if it ain't yourn, and
I can't find no owner, it'ull do as a wedding-present for Bet." He
slipped the purse again into his pocket and made off.
Hester Wright had gone early to Paradise Row to fetch Bet, for she was
to be her sole bridesmaid--in fact, the only friend who was to see her
give herself to Will. Will had no best man. But what of that? His heart
did feel light this morning, and the gay notes which he sang as he
hurried along the streets had an undertone of thanksgiving running
through them.
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