Lucy did not speak. She had promised she wouldn’t; and besides, there was no chance for anybody to speak. Papa was standing there, just going to preach, though, to be sure, he had no pulpit. It wasn’t much of a sermon, either. He only asked some questions, and Aunt Vi and Mr. Sanford answered so low you could hardly hear. Then there was a ring put on Aunt Vi’s finger, and papa talked some more, and prayed a little.
Lucy drew a long breath, but kept perfectly quiet. Jimmy was quiet too, though they both looked sober and surprised. This was not funny in the least, not at all what they had expected. There was no “ring-round-rosy,” or “button, button,” or dancing, or anything nice. And this was what they called a wedding!
But it was over before very long, and then the people began to stir again. There was a buzz of pleasant talking all through the room. People here and there laughed softly; but mamma and one or two other ladies put their handkerchiefs to their eyes. It couldn’t be that they were crying? How strange! how very strange! Grown-up ladies crying at a party!
And people were coming up to kiss Aunt Vi, and shake hands with Mr. Sanford. What was that for? If they had only kissed Jimmy and Lucy, and said how spl-en-didly they looked, and how well they had behaved, there might have been some sense in it.
Jimmy’s lip curled a little.
And who was Mrs. Sanford? Again and again people went up to Aunt Vi, and said, “My dear Mrs. Sanford,” which of course wasn’t her name.
Then everybody went out to the dining-room. But think of setting a noble groomsman like Jimmy, and a fair bridesmaid like Lucy, off in a corner, and telling them to “stay there and not speak yet”!
And before anybody had a chance to eat much, something else happened. Jimmy heard wheels, and, peeping through the window, saw that a carriage had been driven up the gravel path,—a carriage with blue velvet cushions and two handsome chestnut horses.
There it stood and stood. Nobody knew it was there but Jimmy.
And presently Aunt Vi went off in this carriage, and Mr. Sanford went with her. The oddest thing! Right away from the company! So impolite!