Lom makes a Speech. 217

really mean it. Papa says I must stop now,
but I haven’t nearly done.”

He jumped down from the table. Every-
body was still laughing, though Tom could
not understand why. Then they gave three
cheers for Tom, and Tom helped in the
cheering as loud as he could, for he liked
cheering almost as much as dancing. And
then they gave three cheers for Tom’s papa
and mamma, and three cheers again for Matty
and her husband. By that time Tom was
quite tired of dancing, and cheering, and talk-
ing, and laughing.

“Say good-bye,” said his papa.

“Good-bye, Matty,” said Tom. “I'm
sorry I’m not tall enough to marry you at
once, but when I come back from school I
shall be much taller. Matty’s husband, keep
her happy till then, will you ?”

So saying, he ran away.