’But, Ruby, you might always have gone to live with the young man instead when you pleased.’

‘You mean John Crumb.’

‘Of course I mean John Crumb, Ruby.’

’There ain’t much to choose between ’em.  What one says is all spite; and the other man says nothing at all.’

‘Oh Ruby, Ruby,’ said Mrs Pipkin, with solemnly persuasive voice, ’I hope you’ll come to learn some day, that a loving heart is better nor a fickle tongue,—­specially with vittels certain.’

On the following morning the Bungay church bells rang merrily, and half its population was present to see John Crumb made a happy man.  He himself went out to the farm and drove the bride and Mrs Pipkin into the town, expressing an opinion that no...