264 THE LAND OF PLUCK

“But if the minister had asked any other question
than the one he did, it never would have happened.

“Or if it had been on any other day than that one
particular day, it would n’t have happened.

“Tf any other little boy in the whole wide universe ex-
cepting Robby Burlock had been with Patty, it never
would have happened,” she went on, with a playful nod.

«And I need n’t tell you if it had been two strangers
standing before the altar, instead of their sister Jessie and
Herbert Norris, it never could have happened.

“ But it did happen, for all that.

“Tf any one here present, said the minister, looking
kindly upon the sweet bride with the brave young man
beside her, and then glancing calmly over the little church-
ful of wedding guests, knows of any reason why this man
and this woman should not be joined together in the holy
bonds of matrimony, let him speak now, or,—

««What’s all that?’ whispered Robby, in great scorn, to
Patty. ‘I guess he doesn’t know. There ain’t any bounds
of materony about it.’

“That was enough. Young as he was, Robby was her
oracle. Up jumped Patty, anxious to set things right,
and determined that the wedding should go on, now that
Sister Jessie had on her white dress and orange-flowers
and lovely veil.

“«T do!’ she called out in a sweet, resolute voice, as
she held. up a warning finger. ‘I do. Please wait, Mr.
Minister. There ain’t any materony about it at all.
They came on purpose to be married!’

“*Q’ course they did!’ muttered Robby, distinctly.