“Yes, mother and Aunt Helen saw to them. I left Jean clutching your bracelet preparatory to putting it on. Of course Jack has worn hers since she got out of bed this morning.”
“Ready, girls?” inquired Mrs. Roberts coming to the door. “It is time.”
“Oh, is it?” Mary Lee drew a quick breath, then she flew off to Miss Dolores. “Please, please,” she whispered tearfully, “kiss me the last one before you become Mrs. Kirk.”
The girls gathered around her. She kissed one after another, Mary Lee last, then they descended the stairs in order, the twins going first and feeling very important.
It was all over in what seemed an incredible short space of time, and then every one began to chatter, and there was much kissing all around. The musicians struck up the Grieg music and then the wedding breakfast was served which was made as lively an affair as possible by the united efforts of the guests, each seeming to feel it his or her bounden duty to keep up Mr. Pinckney’s spirits. Once or twice he looked at Miss Dolores, wiped his eyes and turned quickly away, then some one would start up a funny story and presently down both sides the table every one would be laughing.
After a while Mrs. Roberts looked at her watch and whispered something to the bride who arose and left them. Some one began a song, but the girls realized that this was a most important moment and they all rushed to the foot of the stairs. At the top Miss Dolores turned and smiled down upon them, then she tossed her bouquet in the air and—Jack caught it!
“Jack Corner, you little wretch!” Jo took her by the shoulders and shook her. “Do you mean to say you are going to be married before any of us?”
“Very likely,” returned Jack calmly, “if Carter wants me to and mother says I may.”
This raised such a laugh as made even Mr. Pinckney forget his granddaughter and when, in a few minutes, she came down ready for her journey, he was as ready as the rest with confetti.
But after bride and groom were whirled away, Mary Lee in tears sought the library where she could get over her little weep alone. She was softly crying in the depths of a big chair when Mr. Pinckney appeared in the doorway wiping his eyes and looking the picture of misery. At sight of Mary Lee he stopped short, gave a little sigh, then a chuckle and went off. He returned in a moment with Jack who, beholding her sister behaving in what she considered a disgraceful manner, marched up to her and said: