who was nervous should proceed.  Technical stuff, you know, about holding her hand and telling her you’re lonely and being sincere and straightforward and letting your heart dictate the rest.  Have you ever asked for one card when you wanted to fill a royal flush and happened to pick out the necessary ace?  I did once, when I was up at Oxford, and, by Jove, this letter gave me just the same thrill.  I didn’t hesitate.  I just sailed in.  I was cold sober, but I didn’t worry about that.  Something told me I couldn’t lose.  It was like having to hole out a three-inch putt.  And—­well, there you are, don’t you know.”  Reggie became thoughtful.  “Dash it all!  I’d like to know who the fellow was who sent me those letters.  I’d like to send him a wedding-present or a bit of the cake or something.  Though I suppose there won’t be any cake, seeing the thing’s taking place at a registrar’s.”

“You could buy a bun,” suggested George.

“Well, I shall never know, I suppose.  And now how about trickling forth?  I say, laddie, you don’t object if I sing slightly from time to time during the journey?  I’m so dashed happy, you know.”

“Not at all, if it’s not against the traffic regulations.”

Reggie wandered aimlessly about the room in an ecstasy.

“It’s a rummy thing,” he said meditatively, “I’ve just remembered that, when I was at school, I used to sing a thing called the what’s-it’s-name’s wedding song.  At house-suppers, don’t you know, and what not.  Jolly little thing.  I daresay you know it.  It starts ‘Ding dong!  Ding dong!’ or words to that effect, ’Hurry along!  For it is my wedding-morning!’ I remember you had to stretch out the ‘mor’ a bit.  Deuced awkward, if you hadn’t laid in enough breath.  ‘The Yeoman’s Wedding-Song.’  That was it.  I knew it was some chappie or other’s.  And it went on ’And the bride in something or other is doing something I can’t recollect.’  Well, what I mean is, now it’s my wedding-morning!  Rummy, when you come to think of it, what?  Well, as it’s getting tolerable late, what about it?  Shift ho?”

“I’m ready.  Would you like me to bring some rice?”

“Thank you, laddie, no.  Dashed dangerous stuff, rice!  Worse than shrapnel.  Got your hat?  All set?”

“I’m waiting.”

“Then let the revels commence,” said Reggie.  “Ding dong!  Ding Dong!  Hurry along!  For it is my wedding-morning!  And the bride—­ Dash it, I wish I could remember what the bride was doing!”

“Probably writing you a note to say that she’s changed her mind, and it’s all off.”

“Oh, my God!” exclaimed Reggie.  “Come on!”

CHAPTER 21.