"Good for you, boy! And you wish me joy?"
"I can't; I'm a woman-hater now myself."
"Wish me as much joy as possible under the circumstances."
"I'll do that; but don't expect me to throw a fit in doing it."
"All right," Huntington patted him affectionately on the shoulder. "Now run and get ready for dinner, and don't forget that I'm keeping Merry in the family!"
"Oh! come. Don't rub it in!"
"I won't, but I'm so happy that I'm kiddish!"
"Many a married man seems contented when he's only resigned," quoted Billy maliciously.
"Get out!" Huntington shouted, throwing a chair-pillow at the retreating figure.
It was at dinner that the party reassembled, this time in its full strength of numbers. The table was set in the Italian dining-porch, which occupied the east gable, and by reason of its uniqueness formed a charming background for the ceremony. Three of its sides were open, the over-story being supported on columns; the plaster wall was covered with masses of flowering and decorative plants, clinging to a lattice, and broken in the center by a niche enclosing an old marble fountain. Edith and Cosden greeted Huntington cordially when he came down, plying him with questions until he begged for mercy.