“I think it very strange that the young man should be able to take the least interest in that wedding. I should think he would keep as far from the house and as far from the church as possible!” said Mrs. Hedge.
“Why, he is going to be groomsman!” put in young Bayard, laughing.
“No!” exclaimed in one breath all the women except Miss Grandiere, who quietly remarked:
“It is, probably, as I suspected. That childish engagement amounted to nothing. The childish affection faded from both hearts, and the young man was as well pleased to be off it as the young lady was.”
“Yes, mebbe so, indeed. But where is Le this afternoon? I thought as he was coming home with you,” inquired Miss Sibby.
“No; he couldn’t. He had something else to do,” replied Roland.
While they talked the one servant woman of Miss Sibby was coming and going between kitchen and parlor, bringing in dishes of fried chicken and fried ham, plates of hot biscuits and India cakes, plates of pickles, preserves, butter, cheese and all that goes to make up the edibles of a rustic tea table for company.
When the teapot was brought in, last of all, Miss Sibby went to the head of the board, and heartily invited the guests to be seated.
They accepted without delay. And were soon too busily engaged with their teacups to carry on the conversation about the wedding. Each one of the company present could have testified that not one of their number slighted the delicacies set before them by Miss Sibby.
When tea was over and it was growing dark, Mrs. Hedge and Miss Grandiere arose to take leave.