It took Patty Sands many years to recover from the shock of her friend’s death. She was too ill to even know when the funeral took place. She had told her father and Kate of Mattie’s last words. Ethel Hollister sent a telegram requesting that Mattie’s funeral might be postponed until she arrived. The Camp Fire girls were the pallbearers.
Fortunately the cruel flames had left Mattie’s face untouched and she looked lovely. The church was crowded to overflowing, as well as the street. The text of the sermon was:
“Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for a friend.”
Mattie had “given service” as well as laying down her life for a friend, and the whole town marvelled at her bravery.
CHAPTER XIII
JUDGE SANDS AND KATE MARRY
In November Kate was married. The wedding was quiet, as Patty was still an invalid. They took her with them and left her at Mrs. Hollister’s while they went on their trip. Nora had arrived for the winter two weeks before. Mrs. Hollister had entered her in Madam La Rue’s school. Ethel had insisted upon giving Nora her room and had moved up stairs.
The three girls were sad. They talked of Mattie and Patty cried constantly. So after a while they avoided speaking of her in her presence.
Nora looked like one to the manner born. Mrs. Hollister, having carte blanche to buy for her anything she saw fit, purchased the loveliest second mourning costumes imaginable, and Nora wore them remarkably well. She had grown more quiet since Mattie’s death. A great change seemed to have come over her. She was one of Madam’s brightest pupils and very popular. Mrs. Hollister was genuinely fond of her and they went everywhere together.
When Mr. Casey came to New York he was surprised at the change. He’d say to Mrs. Hollister: