CHAPTER XIII The Passing of a Public School Man
Six days later the school was given a half holiday, and soon after luncheon the bigamous union of Captain Edgar Grimes and Miss Florence Selina Fagan was celebrated at the Llanabba Parish Church. A slight injury to his hand prevented Paul from playing the organ. He walked down the church with Mr Prendergast, who, greatly to his dismay, had been instructed by Dr Fagan to give away the bride.
'I do not intend to be present, said the Doctor. 'The whole business is exceedingly painful to me. Everybody else, however, was there except little Lord Tangent, whose foot was being amputated at a local nursing‑home. The boys for the most part welcomed the event as a pleasant variation to the rather irregular routine of their day. Clutterbuck alone seemed disposed to sulk.
'I don't suppose that their children will be terribly attractive, said Beste‑Chetwynde.
There were few wedding presents. The boys had subscribed a shilling each and had bought at a shop in Llandudno a silver‑plated teapot, coyly suggestive of art nouveau. The Doctor gave them a cheque for twenty‑five pounds. Mr Prendergast gave Grimes a walking‑stick — 'because he was always borrowing mine' ‑ and Dingy rather generously, two photograph frames, a calendar, and a tray of Benares brassware. Paul was the best man.
The service passed off without a hitch, for Grimes's Irish wife did not turn up to forbid the banns. Flossie wore a frock of a rather noticeable velveteen and a hat with two pink feathers to match.
'I was so pleased when I found he didn't want me to wear white, she said, 'though, of course, it might have been dyed afterwards.
Both bride and bridegroom spoke up well in the responses, and afterwards the Vicar delivered a very moving address on the subject of Home and Conjugal Love.
'How beautiful it is, he said, 'to see two young people in the hope of youth setting out with the Church's blessing to face life together; how much more beautiful to see them when they have grown to full manhood and womanhood coming together and saying, "Our experience of life has taught us that one is not enough."
The boys lined the path from the church door to the lychgate, and the head prefect said: 'Three cheers for Captain and Mrs Grimes!