Then Uncle Michael, looking very happy and proud, kissed his daughter and led her to the chair between his place and Dorothy’s.
“Daddy gave me the wedding dress,” whispered Janet. “It’s a little bit late for it, but he insisted.”
“You look simply darling,” began her cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, who had pushed in her chair, was addressing the company.
“Ladies, and gentlemen,” he said, “before we start on the Christmas cheer which our little hostess and her father have so graciously provided, I would like to propose a toast or two, and may I ask you to stand again while you drink them with me?” He held up his glass of golden cider. “First, let us drink long life and great happiness to our charming bride, Mrs. Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!”
The company drank the toast enthusiastically. Then Uncle Abe, the Dixon’s darkey butler, better known to some of Dorothy’s friends as “Ol’ Man River,” grinning from one black ear to the other, laid small leather jewel cases before Janet and Howard.
“Just a little Christmas gift, my children,” explained Doctor Winn.
“Oh, may we open them now?” asked Janet eagerly.
“You most certainly may, my dear.”
They snapped open the lids and the company leaned forward to get a better view of the contents.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor Winn,” began Howard, fingering his handsome gold repeater and chain.