ly proud of it, for
it was neatly done, so neatly done in fact that it did not need a
single correction. And William's pride was the greater because he was
asked to accompany Whimple to the store, there to witness the signing
of the agreement. The ceremony was a solemn one--too solemn almost for
William--whose efforts to maintain a dignified bearing were almost too
much for Tommy. Whimple had no difficulty in maintaining the pose of a
lawyer engaged in a serious case, while the assistants were too
frightened to be anything else but soberly sheepish. The main clause
of the agreement was read over twice, the assistants affirming in timid
tones that they knew what it meant, and believed they had sense enough
to live up to it. And it ran something like this:--

"And we the parties hereinbefore and hereinafter referred to as
assistants to Thomas Watson, auctioneer of the said city of Toronto,
County of York, do hereby solemnly agree and bind ourselves on our
honour to respect such agreement; that we will not during the absence
of the said Thomas Watson from his lawful place of business during the
period of four weeks dating from the date of this agreement, to which
in the presence of witnesses we have signed our names, discuss, argue,
talk of, whisper, or shout in the presence of each other, or write or
read in the presence of each other, anything relating in any manner to
the Battle of Bannockburn or any other battle fought in or out of
Scotland or England or elsewhere between armies or forces or
individuals of either of the countries named. We also agree that we
will not in the presence of each other, by actions or other show that
might be so construed, attempt to convey each to the other any thoughts
we may have as to such battle, or battles, or conflicts. And we
further declare that we know and understand and comprehend the meaning
of the foregoing in all respects, that we are over twenty-one years of
age respectively, and are not subject to the control or permission of
parents or guardians in entering into the agreement as set forth in the
foregoing, and in the succeeding clauses of this agreement."

They signed both copies solemnly, William signed them too, as a
witness, and so did Whimple. One copy was nailed to the wall at the
back of the store, the other was given to Whimple, who was also given
power of attorney by the auctioneer during the absence of Tommy on his
honeymoon.

The first wedding that Willia