"It looks to me," said the cock, "as if your wife was gettin' married
again."
Sure enough, while the bells rang, Joby saw the door of his own house
open, and his own wife come stepping towards the church, leaning on a
man's arm. And who should that man be but Tommy Warne?
"And to think I've lived fifteen years with that woman, and never
lifted my hand to her!"
Said the bird, "The wedding is fixed for eleven o'clock, and 'tis on
the stroke now. If I was you, Joby, I'd climb down and put back the
church clock."
"And so I would, if I knew how to get to it."
"You've but to slide down my leg to the parapet: and from the parapet
you can jump right on to the string-course under the clock."
Joby slid down the bird's leg, and jumped on to the ledge. He had
never before noticed a clock in Wendron Church tower; but there one
was, staring him in the face.
"Now," cried his friend, "catch hold of the minute-hand and turn!"
Joby did so--"Widdershins!" screamed the bird: "faster! faster!"
Joby whizzed back the minute-hand with all his might.
"Aie, ul--ul--oo! Lemme go! 'Tis my arm you're pullin' off!"
'Twas his own wife's voice in his own four-poster. Joby had slid
down the bed-post and caught hold of her arm, and was workin' it
round like mad from right to left.
"I ax your pardon, my dear. I was thinkin' you was another man's
bride."
"Indeed, I must say you wasn't behavin' like it," said she.
But when she got up and lit a candle, she was pleased enough.
For Joby's eyes were as straight as yours or mine. And straight they
have been ever since.