I do not know whether it was a desire for notoriety or revenge (writes a correspondent) that prompted a young woman in France the other day to answer "I will not" instead of "I will" to the crucial question in the marriage service.
The incident reminded me of a story told in the North of Ireland concerning the exercise of what is usually held to be a woman's prerogative. A young farmer went to the girl to whom he was engaged and said: "Mary, I am sorry, but I cannot marry you." "How is that?" asked the girl, in surprise. "I've changed my mind," said the farmer.
Mary thought for a moment. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped," she said; "but if the word goes round that you gave me up, I won't be able to get another boy. If, on the other hand, we let people think that I gave you up, then I can easily get another fellow. So let us have the banns published, and when the wedding day comes, and the parson says `Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife?' you answer `I will.' And when he asks me if I will have you for my wedded husband, I'll say `I will not.' "
The farmer agreed, and, when the day came, he played his part. But when Mary was asked, "Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband?" she answered, "I will." "Why," said the farmer, furiously, "you said that you would say `I will not.' "
"I know that," replied the young woman, "but I've changed my mind."
The Irish Times, March 17th, 1930.