A couple wanted to get married in a hurry. The man, a soldier on a 48-hour pass, took his blushing bride to see the vicar.

"Impossible," said the vicar. "Even a special license would take too long."

The would-be bride and bridegroom exchanged a look of misery, then a smile spread across the soldier's face. "Well," he suggested brightly, "couldn't you say a few word just to tide us over the weekend?"