294   FROM THE WEST TO  THE WEST
pin. It was the springtime, and climbing roses were clambering over the little porch. The old people seemed to lack for nothing but the companionship of their children." And the little woman, amazed at her own loquacity, shrank back abashed.
" God has been very kind and gracious to both of the good old couples," said the preacher, in a sonorous voice.
" Some people have an unlimited supply of gall," said Hal, aside to Mary, alluding to the preacher and his wife.
" I don't see but they are all right," was the smiling reply of the rosy-cheeked maiden. " They have placed me under everlasting obligations, I do assure you." She arose to greet a handsome visitor, whom she proudly introduced to them as " my affianced husband."
The preacher's joy was unbounded when Captain Ranger invited him to perform a quadruple marriage ceremony on the morrow, — an incident he hailed as an augury of the further social and financial assistance of which he felt so much in need that he began at once to solicit aid for the erection of a church and parsonage.
" For heaven's sake, don't begin to bother us about this innovation for a week or two!" exclaimed the Captain. " I '11 see that you are fed and housed for the present. As Jean will be leaving us, we shall need a school-teacher. My wife will not want an outsider to use our.house for the school; so we must make a school-house and meeting-house combined, and let it suffice for the present."
The morning brought a scene of hurry, bustle, and happiness, Long tables were spread upon the lawn, under the wide-spread branches of the luxuriant fir-tree the woodman had spared when the land was cleared. Flowers and ferns from the wildwood added glow and fragrance to the loaded tables. Mary and Jean, rosy with expectation, flitted everywhere.