"Here I am! I am married, mama," she announced.
Instead of the outburst she had expected: "Yes, my dear, so I have been hearing," Mrs. Day said. "I don't know why you need have kept it secret from me, but now it is done, all I can do is to wish you every possible happiness, Bessie."
It was disappointing: very flat and tame. Mrs. Day got up and kissed her daughter, and Deleah followed suit.
"It would have been nicer for you to have mama and me with you at your wedding, I should have thought," Deleah said. "Isn't Mr. Boult coming to speak to us?"
"No," said a slightly crestfallen Bessie. "He thought there would be a fuss."
"It is too late to make a fuss, Bessie."
"Well, we thought so; and that there was no good in his being bothered; so he's gone straight on to the station to wait for me. We go up to town by the 1.20. I join him in half an hour. The carriage will wait."
"That's all right, dear. You'd better have something to eat before you go."
Emily was summoned to bring refreshments. The tray was already, having been prepared before they left for church, and on it was a small wedding-cake bought with Emily's savings, and a bottle of port purchased from the same meagre fund.
The white sugared cake was to be a surprise to Bessie: