The uncles highly approved of the immediate closing up of Ethel’s business, and the coming to their houses of both nieces and nephew without any unnecessary delay. In consequence they were all, in less than a fortnight, installed as temporary members of their Uncle George’s family, the girls very busy with the necessary preparations for their approaching nuptials, and Dorothy equally so as their most kind helper.
The young lady cousins next door took a languid interest and prepared some little wedding gifts for each of the prospective brides, but that was the utmost of their helpfulness.
Busy though they were—very busy with their preparations—Ethel and Blanche managed to find time to carry on a brisk correspondence with Percy and Stuart, whose letters kept them informed of the progress made from week to week in the building of their houses and the laying out of the grounds, assuring them that they confidently hoped to have the pretty homes ready in good season for their occupants. Their fathers, so they wrote, would give them, not the grounds and houses alone, but furniture for them also, and it was their intention to buy carpets, curtains, and parlor furniture at least, in Philadelphia when they went on for their brides. These would be sent immediately to Pleasant Plains, as their town was called, and arranged in the houses by their Aunt Annis and others of the family who intended to remain at home while the bridal party made their wedding trip, visiting various places of note in the Eastern and Middle States.
“Oh, how pleasant!” exclaimed Dorothy on hearing of these arrangements; “you can go right into your own homes just as soon as you reach the town. I should like nothing better if I were in your place.”
“It suits us exactly,” said Ethel.
“Aunt Sarah was saying only this morning that it was time to be preparing invitations to the wedding and sending them out,” remarked Dorothy, “and she wants you girls to make out a list of the relatives and friends of the bridegroom that are to be, who ought to receive cards, so that she can attend to the business, which is just in her line, as she can do it sitting in her chair and with very little exertion.”
“It is most kind in aunt, and we will write at once for such a list,” replied Ethel, looking highly gratified; for both she and Blanche wished to show every attention to the relatives of Percy and Stuart, but had not thus far felt that they had any right to invite them, or anyone, to the house of their uncle; and he had expressed a wish to have the ceremony performed in his own parlor.
The letters were promptly written, sent by the next train for the West, and a reply containing the requested list came by the return of mail.
It gave the names of relatives only, few besides the Keiths, Aunt Wealthy Stanhope, and such of the Dinsmores as were related to Mrs. Marcia Keith, the maternal grandmother of Percy and Stuart, including, of course, those of New Jersey who had for years so kindly befriended Ethel, Blanche, and their younger brother and sister.
The girls had few friends or acquaintances outside of the families of their two uncles, and desiring a quiet wedding because of their recent bereavement, none others were invited.