In the afternoon John took his bride to Lowestoft, and brought her back to all the glories of his own house on the following day.  His honeymoon was short, but its influence on Ruby was beneficent.  When she was alone with the man, knowing that he was her husband, and thinking something of all that he had done to win her to be his wife, she did learn to respect him.  ’Now, Ruby, give a fellow a buss,—­as though you meant it,’ he said, when the first fitting occasion presented itself.

‘Oh, John,—­what nonsense!’

’It ain’t nonsense to me, I can tell you.  I’d sooner have a kiss from you than all the wine as ever was swallowed.’  Then she did kiss him, ‘as though she...