Old Mr.Bolton was not jovial on the occasion, and the four brothers hardly knew how to find subjects for conversation on such an occasion.

The bridegroom felt the hour to be very long, although he consented to play billiards with the boys; and John Jones, although he did at last escape and find his way up among the girls, thought that his friend had married himself into a very sombre family.

But all this was pleasant pastime indeed compared with that which poor Hester endured in her mother's bedroom.

'So it has been done,' said Mrs.Bolton, sitting in a comfortless little chair, which she was accustomed to use when secluded, with her Bible, from all the household.

She spoke in a voice that might have been fit had a son of hers been just executed on the gallows.
'Oh, mamma, do not speak of it like that!' 'My darling, my own one; would you have me pretend what I do not feel ?' 'Why, yes.