PART II.
A WEDDING.
At one time my proposed expedition seemed threatened with extinction, for my family strongly objected to my running about the East End with no more efficient protector than Belinda Ann—on a bank holiday too! In vain I painted her character in glowing colours; in vain I cited my hostess of the club as an authority that I should come to no harm. The family were obdurate. Either I must find someone to go with me who could look after me properly, or I must give up the idea.
I was loath to do the latter so I set about the former, and by great good luck discovered a lady who spent most of her time amongst Belinda Ann and her friends and knew the bride and her family intimately.
I admit it robbed the expedition of some of its fun to thus have a chaperon tacked on to me, and there was a lurking doubt in my mind as to how Belinda Ann herself would regard the innovation. When, after a long, hot omnibus ride, we arrived at the place where we had appointed to meet her we caught sight of her waiting, my eyes anxiously sought her face to judge from its expression whether or no she would resent the unexpected addition to the party. Luckily she both knew and liked the lady in question (who shall be called Miss H.), and though for a moment her face clouded over, it soon brightened again, and, with a great air of importance, she bustled us off to the tram.
On the way I had time to note that she had evidently bestowed great pains on her person, for the straight fringe was elaborately curled and surmounted by a wonderful crimson plush hat, à la Gainsborough, adorned with a profusion of feathers to match shaded off to palest pink.
“That must have cost her a lot of money,” I whispered to Miss H.; but the latter replied, “She belongs to a feather club, of course.”
I did not understand what she meant, and there was no opportunity of then asking; but I resolved to inquire into this at some future period.
Meanwhile Belinda Ann, by means of a dexterous application of her thin sharp elbows and a running fire of chaff, secured us an entrance into the tram which was already inconveniently crowded in my opinion; but everyone was so heartily good-natured, no one could possibly show temper at being a little squeezed.