It was a surprise to his children, who were all now among the spectators. They gazed eagerly and with intense interest, Lulu almost holding her breath in her excitement.
“How sweet mamma looks!” murmured Grace, close at her side.
“And how handsome papa is!” said Max, who stood near enough to hear the remark.
“He always is the very handsomest man in the world!” said Lulu.
“It’s ’most like being at their wedding,” remarked Grace. “I wonder if mamma wore that very dress.”
“Yes,” answered Rosie, “that is her wedding dress, not altered at all. And the one sister Elsie wore was hers.”
“It’s nice that they’ve kept them,” said Sydney Dinsmore. “I may live and die an old maid, but if ever I do get married, I mean to keep my wedding dress for my children and grandchildren to see.”
They all had their eyes on the tableau while they talked.
But now the curtain fell, shutting out the sight.
“Oh, why didn’t they let it last a little longer?” murmured several young voices. “It was such a lovely picture!”