Sallie Warham hid her face in her apron.

The preacher cleared his throat vigorously, began--"Dearly beloved"-- and so on and on.

When he put the questions to Susan and Jeb he told them what answer was expected, and they obeyed him, Jeb muttering, Susan with a mere, movement of the lips.

When he had finished--a matter of less than three minutes--he shook hands warmly first with Susan, then with Jeb.

"Live in the fear of the Lord," he said.