Let us go to seek them." She nodded, and hand in hand we walked through the Boers, who nudged each other and laughed at us as we passed to where the old vrouw was seated on a stool by her wagon drinking coffee.

I remember that her vatdoek was spread over her knees, for she also had a new dress, which she was afraid of staining.
"Well, my dears," she said in her loud voice, "are you married already that you hang so close together ?" "No, my aunt," I answered; "but we want to be, and have come to you to help us." "That I will do with all my heart, though to speak truth, young people, at your age, as things are, I should have been inclined to help myself, as I have told you before.

Heaven above us! what is it that makes marriage in the sight of God?
It is that male and female should declare themselves man and wife before all folk, and live as such.

The pastor and his mumblings are very well if you can get them, but it is the giving of the hand, not the setting of the ring upon it; it is the vowing of two true hearts, and not words read out of a book, that make marriage.

Still, this is bold talk, for which any reverend predicant would reprove me, for if young folk acted on it, although the tie might hold good in law, what would become of his fee?
Come, let us seek the commandant and hear what he has to say.