Here also the wedding presents were on view for a short time, before being packed and dispatched to the steamer, which was to be effected while the company should be at table. There was a silver tea service from Mr. and Mrs. Walling; a silver salver from Mr. Will; a gold watch and chain from Col. and Mrs. Moseley; a box of fine handkerchiefs from Cleve and Palma Stuart—this was the same box that had been given by Cleve to Palma months before, but not a handkerchief had been disturbed, and having nothing else to give she gave it now, with Cleve’s consent. There was a gold chain and cross from Mike; a pretty hand-bag from Longman, a workbox from Dandy, and various dainty trifles, mostly of their own manufacture, from the Moseley girls and boys.
A little later the butler slid back the rolling portières and announced breakfast, which was laid in a long rear room.
The wedding party—host and hostess, bride and groom, and guests, filed in and seated themselves at the table—nine on each side, host and hostess at the head and foot. Ran and Judy sat on the right side of Mrs. Walling, Col. and Mrs. Moseley on her left. Below Judy sat Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Stuart. Below Mrs. Moseley sat Mr. William Walling and Mrs. Duncan.
Longman sat on Mr. Walling’s right hand, and Dandy on his left. Other guests, chiefly the young people of the colonel’s family, filled all the other seats. Mike sat halfway up on the right side of the board.
Two waiters, in black dress suits, white satin waistcoats and kid gloves, served the guests.
Tea, coffee or chocolate was offered.
Dandy took tea—in what a little, fragile eggshell of a cup! How different from the massive, yellow bowl from which he used to gulp great draughts of that rare luxury, or something made up to imitate it.
He was afraid to touch this chrysalis for fear he should crush it. He left it on the table before him, and following Longman’s given rule, watched to see how other people handled their cups; as a matter of detail, he watched Col. Moseley, who stood, in his estimation, for the most perfect gentleman he knew.
By this precaution he avoided the mistake of pouring his tea into his saucer, which otherwise he would surely have done; for what on earth else were saucers made for anyhow?
Presently came around the boned turkey and the chicken salad.