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Page 16
"It is a fair day for the child," she whispered to herself. "How good God
is!" Then she slept again for a long, restful space, and woke refreshed,
so that Katy's secret fear that Cousin Helen might be ill from excitement,
and not able to come to her wedding, was not realized.
Clover, meantime, had slept soundly all night. She and Katy shared the
same room, and waked almost at the same moment. It was early still; but
the sisters felt bright and rested and ready for work, so they rose at
once.
They dressed in silence, after a little whispered rejoicing over the
beautiful morning, and in silence took their Bibles and sat down side by
side to read the daily portion which was their habit. Then hand in hand
they stole downstairs, disturbing nobody, softly opened doors and windows,
carried bowls and jars out on the porch, and proceeded to arrange a great
basket full of roses which had been brought the night before, and set in
the dew-cool shade of the willows to keep fresh.
Before breakfast all the house had put on festal airs. Summer had come
early to Burnet that year; every garden was in bud and blossom, and every
one who had flowers had sent their best to grace Katy's wedding. The whole
world seemed full of delicious smells. Each table and chimney-piece bore a
fragrant load; a great bowl of Jacqueminots stood in the middle of the
breakfast-table, and two large jars of the same on the porch, where Clover
had arranged various seats and cushions that it might serve as a sort of
outdoor parlor.
Nobody who came to that early breakfast ever forgot its peace and
pleasantness and the sweet atmosphere of affection which seemed to pervade
everything about it. After breakfast came family prayers as usual, Dr.
Carr reading the chapter, and the dear old commodore joining with a hearty
nautical voice in,--
"Awake my soul! and with the sun,"
which was a favorite hymn with all of them. Ned shared Katy's book, and
his face and hers alone would have been breakfast enough for the company
if everything else had failed, as Rose remarked to Clover in a whisper,
though nobody found any fault with the more substantial fare which Debby
had sent in previously. Somehow this little mutual service of prayer and
praise seemed to fit in with the spirit of the day, and give it its
keynote.
"It's just the sweetest wedding," Mrs. Ashe told her brother. "And the
wonderful thing is that everything comes so naturally. Katy is precisely
her usual self,--only a little more so."
"I'm under great obligations to Amy for having that fever," was Ned's
somewhat indirect answer; but his sister understood what he meant.
Breakfast over, the guests discreetly removed themselves; and the whole
family joined in resetting the table for the luncheon, which was to be at
two, Katy and Ned departing in the boat at four. It was a simple but
abundant repast, with plenty of delicious home-cooked food,--oysters and
salads and cold chicken; fresh salmon from Lake Superior; a big Virginia
ham baked to perfection, red and translucent to its savory centre; hot
coffee, and quantities of Debby's perfect rolls. There were strawberries,
also, and ice-cream, and the best of home-made cake and jellies, and
everywhere vases of fresh roses to perfume the feast. When all was
arranged, there was still time for Katy to make Cousin Helen a visit, and
then go to her room for a quiet rest before dressing; and still that same
unhurried air pervaded the house.
There had been a little discussion the night before as to just how the
bride should make her appearance at the decisive moment; but Katy had
settled it by saying simply that she should come downstairs, and Ned could
meet her at the foot of the staircase.
"It is the simplest way," she said; "and you know I don't want any fuss. I
will just come down."
"I dare say she's right," remarked Rose; "but it seems to me to require a
great deal of courage."
And after all, it didn't. The simple and natural way of doing a thing
generally turns out the easiest. Clover helped Katy to put on the
wedding-gown of soft crape and creamy white silk. It was trimmed with old
lace and knots of ribbon, and Katy wore with it two or three white roses
which Ned had brought her, and a pearl pendant which was his gift. Then
Clover had to go downstairs to receive the guests, and see that Cousin
Helen's sofa was put in the right place; and Rose, who remained behind,
had the pleasure of arranging Katy's veil. The yellow-white of the old
blonde was very becoming, and altogether, the effect, though not
"stylish," was very sweet. Katy was a little pale, but otherwise exactly
like her usual self, with no tremors or self-consciousness.
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