Madeleine’s wedding was to be in white and green. The bridesmaids’ frocks were of the palest green silk, covered with clouds of white chiffon. About the bottom of the skirts were bands of pale green satin and the chiffon was caught here and there with embroidered wreaths of lilies of the valley. The hats were of white chip, ornamented with white and pale green plumes.
It was small wonder that four young girls, three of them poor, should have been awestruck at the thought of appearing in such gowns.
“I shall save mine for my own wedding dress!” exclaimed Eleanor.
“I shall make my début in mine,” insisted Lillian.
“We can’t thank you enough,” declared Phyllis, a little overcome by so much grandeur.
Tom was standing in a far corner of the room.
“I would like to suggest that I be allowed to come into this,” he demanded firmly.
“You, Tom?” teased Madge. “You’re merely the audience.”
Tom took four small square boxes out of his pocket. “Don’t you be too sure, Miss Madge Morton. My future brother-in-law, Judge Robert Hilliard, has commissioned me to present his gifts to his bridesmaids. Madge shall be the last person to see in these boxes, just for her unkind treatment of me.”
“All right, Tom,” agreed Madge; “I don’t think I could stand anything more just at this instant.”