小说园

第25部分（第1页）

And　without　another　thought　she　ran　off　into　the　house；

leaving　him　to　untackle　the　horse。　And　when　he　came　into　the

scullery；　he　found　her　there；　with　the　little　wringer　fixed　on

the　dolly…tub；　turning　blissfully　at　the　handle；　and　Tilly

beside　her；　exclaiming：

〃My　word；　thats　a　natty　little　thing！　Thatll　save　you

luggin　your　inside　out。　Thats　the　latest　contraption；　that

is。〃

And　Anna　turned　away　at　the　handle；　with　great　gusto　of

possession。　Then　she　let　Tilly　have　a　turn。

〃It　fair　runs　by　itself；〃　said　Tilly；　turning　on　and　on。

〃Your　clothesll　nip　out　on　to　th　line。〃

CHAPTER　V

WEDDING　AT　THE　MARSH

It　was　a　beautiful　sunny　day　for　the　wedding；　a　muddy　earth

but　a　bright　sky。　They　had　three　cabs　and　two　big　closed…in

vehicles。　Everybody　crowded　in　the　parlour　in　excitement。　Anna

was　still　upstairs。　Her　father　kept　taking　a　nip　of　brandy。　He

was　handsome　in　his　black　coat　and　grey　trousers。　His　voice　was

hearty　but　troubled。　His　wife　came　down　in　dark　grey　silk　with

lace；　and　a　touch　of　peacock…blue　in　her　bonnet。　Her　little　body

was　very　sure　and　definite。　Brangwen　was　thankful　she　was　there；

to　sustain　him　among　all　these　people。

The　carriages！　The　Nottingham　Mrs。　Brangwen；　in　silk　brocade；

stands　in　the　doorway　saying　who　must　go　with　whom。　There　is　a

great　bustle。　The　front　door　is　opened；　and　the　wedding　guests

are　walking　down　the　garden　path；　whilst　those　still　waiting

peer　through　the　window；　and　the　little　crowd　at　the　gate　gorps

and　stretches。　How　funny　such　dressed…up　people　look　in　the

winter　sunshine！

They　are　gone……another　lot！　There　begins　to　be　more

room。　Anna　es　down　blushing　and　very　shy；　to　be　viewed　in　her

white　silk　and　her　veil。　Her　mother…in…law　surveys　her

objectively；　twitches　the　white　train；　arranges　the　folds　of　the

veil　and　asserts　herself。

Loud　exclamations　from　the　window　that　the　bridegrooms

carriage　has　just　passed。