“I, for one, like the New Year’s gift idea,” said Evelyn. “Gracie to give herself to Harold as such, and he himself to her as the same.”
“Yes, it is a pretty idea,” assented Grandma Elsie; “but, as Vi has reminded us, it is Harold’s privilege to set the month, but Gracie’s to choose the day.”
“New Year’s would suit me better than any later day, but I want my ladylove to make the choice to suit herself,” Harold said, giving Grace a look of ardent admiration and affection.
“I like Eva’s idea,” she said with a blush and smile, “so am more than willing to say New Year’s day, if that suits you, Harold; that is, if—if dear little Ned is well enough by that time to attend and enjoy the scene.”
“I think he will be,” said Harold; “at all events, if we have the ceremony performed here in this house.”
“I should prefer to have it here rather than anywhere else,” said Grace with gentle decision.
“I, too,” said Harold.
“Then let it be understood that such is to be the arrangement,” said the captain. “And in the meantime, Grace, daughter, you can be busied about your trousseau, shopping and overseeing the dressmakers.”
“Thank you, father dear,” she said; “but I have abundance of handsome wearing apparel now, and shall not need to get anything new but the wedding dress.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Violet, “you must have a handsome travelling dress and loads of other nice things; and as soon as Neddie is well enough to be left by us for some hours we must go to the city and do the necessary shopping.”