These three brothers dominated the whole company. Tom

Brangwen wanted to make a speech. For the first time in his

life, he must spread himself wordily.

"Marriage," he began, his eyes twinkling and yet quite

profound, for he was deeply serious and hugely amused at the

same time, "Marriage," he said, speaking in the slow,

full-mouthed way of the Brangwens, "is what we're made

for----"

"Let him talk," said Alfred Brangwen, slowly and inscrutably,

"let him talk." Mrs. Alfred darted indignant eyes at her

husband.

"A man," continued Tom Brangwen, "enjoys being a man: for

what purpose was he made a man, if not to enjoy it?"

"That a true word," said Frank, floridly.

"And likewise," continued Tom Brangwen, "a woman enjoys being

a woman: at least we surmise she does----"

"Oh, don't you bother----" called a farmer's

wife.

"You may back your life they'd be summisin'." said Frank's

wife.

"Now," continued Tom Brangwen, "for a man to be a man, it

takes a woman----"

"It does that," said a woman grimly.

"And for a woman to be a woman, it takes a man----"

continued Tom Brangwen.

"All speak up, men," chimed in a feminine voice.

"Therefore we have marriage," continued Tom Brangwen.

"Hold, hold," said Alfred Brangwen. "Don't run us off our

legs."

And in dead silence the glasses were filled. The bride and

bridegroom, two children, sat with intent, shining faces at the

head of the table, abstracted.

"There's no marriage in heaven," went on Tom Brangwen; "but

on earth there is marriage."

"That's the difference between 'em," said Alfred Brangwen,

mocking.

"Alfred," said Tom Brangwen, "keep your remarks till

afterwards, and then we'll thank you for them.-=--There's

very little else, on earth, but marriage. You can talk about

making money, or saving souls. You can save your own soul seven

times over, and you may have a mint of money, but your soul goes

gnawin', gnawin', gnawin', and it says there's something it must

have. In heaven there is no marriage. But on earth there is

marriage, else heaven drops out, and there's no bottom to

it."

"Just hark you now," said Frank's wife.

"Go on, Thomas," said Alfred sardonically.

"If we've got to be Angels," went on Tom Brangwen,

haranguing the company at large, "and if there is no such thing

as a man nor a woman amongst them, then it seems to me as a

married couple makes one Angel."

"It's the brandy," said Alfred Brangwen wearily.

"For," said Tom Brangwen, and the company was listening to

the conundrum, "an Angel can't be less than a human being. And

if it was only the soul of a man minus the man, then it would be

less than a human being."

"Decidedly," said Alfred.

And a laugh went round the table. But Tom Brangwen was

inspired.




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