Clover

  CHAPTER III.

  THE FIRST WEDDING IN THE FAMILY.

  The great job of the cake-making over, a sense of leisure settled on thehouse. There seemed nothing left to be done which need put any one out ofhis or her way particularly. Katy had among her other qualities a greatdeal of what is called "forehandedness." To leave things to be attended toat the last moment in a flurry and a hurry would have been intolerable toher. She firmly believed in the doctrine of a certain wise man of our ownday who says that to push your work before you is easy enough, but to pullit after you is very hard indeed.

  All that winter, without saying much about it,--for Katy did not "do herthinking outside her head,"--she had been gradually making ready for thegreat event of the spring. Little by little, a touch here and a touchthere, matters had been put in train, and the result now appeared in asurprising ease of mind and absence of confusion. The house had receivedits spring cleaning a fortnight earlier than usual, and was in fair, niceorder, with freshly-beaten carpets and newly-washed curtains. Katy'sdresses were ordered betimes, and had come home, been tried on, and foldedaway ten days before the wedding. They were not many in number, but allwere pretty and in good taste, for the frigate was to be in Bar Harbor andNewport for a part of the summer, and Katy wanted to do Ned credit, andlook well in his eyes and those of his friends.

  All the arrangements, kept studiously simple, were beautifullysystematized; and their very simplicity made them easy to carry out. Theguest chambers were completely ready, one or two extra helpers wereengaged that the servants might not be overworked, the order of every mealfor the three busiest days was settled and written down. Each of theyounger sisters had some special charge committed to her. Elsie was towait on Cousin Helen, and see that she and her nurse had everything theywanted. Clover was to care for the two Roses; Johnnie to oversee the tablearrangements, and make sure that all was right in that direction. Dearlittle Amy was indefatigable as a doer of errands, and her quick feet wereat everybody's service to "save steps." Cecy arrived, and haunted thehouse all day long, anxious to be of use to somebody; Mrs. Ashe put hertime at their disposal; there was such a superabundance of helpers, infact, that no one could feel over taxed. And Katy, while still serving asmain spring to the whole, had plenty of time to write her notes, open herwedding presents, and enjoy her friends in a leisurely, unfatigued fashionwhich was a standing wonderment to Cecy, whose own wedding had been of theonerous sort, and had worn her to skin and bone.

  "I am only just beginning to recover from it now," she remarkedplaintively, "and there you sit, Katy, looking as fresh as a rose; nottired a bit, and never seeming to have anything on your mind. I can'tthink how you do it. I never was at a wedding before where everybody wasnot perfectly worn out."

  "You never were at such a simple wedding before," explained Katy. "I'm notambitious, you see. I want to keep things pretty much as they are everyday, only with a little more of everything because of there being morepeople to provide for. If I were attempting to make it a beautiful,picturesque wedding, we should get as tired as anybody, I have no doubt."

  Katy's gifts were numerous enough to satisfy even Clover, and comprisedall manner of things, from a silver tray which came, with a rather stiffnote, from Mrs. Page and Lilly, to Mary's new flour-scoop, Debby's sifter,and a bottle of home-made hair tonic from an old woman in the "CountyHome." Each of the brothers and sisters had made her something, Katyhaving expressed a preference for presents of home manufacture. Mrs. Ashegave her a beautiful sapphire ring, and Cecy Hall--as they still calledher inadvertently half the time--an elaborate sofa-pillow embroidered byherself. Katy liked all her gifts, both large and small, both for whatthey were and for what they meant, and took a good healthy, heartysatisfaction in the fact that so many people cared for her, and had workedto give her a pleasure.

  Cousin Helen was the first guest to arrive, five days before the wedding.When Dr. Carr, who had gone to Buffalo to meet and escort her down, liftedher from the carriage and carried her indoors, all of them could easilyhave fancied that it was the first visit happening over again, for shelooked exactly as she did then, and scarcely a day older. She happened tohave on a soft gray travelling dress too, much like that which she wore onthe previous occasion, which made the illusion more complete.

  But there was no illusion to Cousin Helen herself. Everything to herseemed changed and quite different. The ten years which had passed solightly over her head had made a vast alteration in the cousins whom sheremembered as children. The older ones were grown up, the younger ones ina fair way to be so; even Phil, who had been in white frocks with curlsfalling over his shoulders at the time of her former visit to Burnet, wasnow fifteen and as tall as his father. He was very slight in build, andlooked delicate, she thought; but Katy assured her that he was perfectlywell, and thin only because he had outgrown his strength.

  It was one of the delightful results of Katy's "forehandedness" that shecould command time during those next two days to thoroughly enjoy CousinHelen. She sat beside her sofa for hours at a time, holding her hand andtalking with a freedom of confidence such as she could have shown to noone else, except perhaps to Clover. She had the feeling that in so doingshe was rendering account to a sort of visible conscience of all theevents, the mistakes, the successes, the glad and the sorry of the longinterval that had passed since they met. It was a pleasure and relief toher; and to Cousin Helen the recital was of equal interest, for though sheknew the main facts by letter, there was a satisfaction in collecting thelittle details which seldom get fully put into letters.

  One subject only Katy touched rather guardedly; and that was Ned. She wasso desirous that her cousin should approve of him, and so anxious not toraise her expectations and have her disappointed, that she would not halfsay how very nice she herself thought him to be. But Cousin Helen could"read between the lines," and out of Katy's very reserve she constructedan idea of Ned which satisfied her pretty well.

  So the two happy days passed, and on the third arrived the other anxiouslyexpected guests, Rose Red and little Rose.

  They came early in the morning, when no one was particularly looking forthem, which made it all the pleasanter. Clover was on the porch twistingthe honeysuckle tendrils upon the trellis when the carriage drove up tothe gate, and Rose's sunny face popped out of the window. Cloverrecognized her at once, and with a shriek which brought all the othersdownstairs, flew down the path, and had little Rose in her arms before anyone else could get there.

  "You see before you a deserted wife," was Rose's first salutation."Deniston has just dumped us on the wharf, and gone on to Chicago in thatabominable boat, leaving me to your tender mercies. O Business, Business!what crimes are committed in thy name, as Madame Roland would say!"

  "Never mind Deniston," cried Clover, with a rapturous squeeze. "Let usplay that he doesn't exist, for a little while. We have got you now, andwe mean to keep you."

  "How pleasant you look!" said Rose, glancing up the locust walk toward thehouse, which wore a most inviting and hospitable air, with doors andwindows wide open, and the soft wind fluttering the vines and the whitecurtains. "Ah, there comes Katy now." She ran forward to meet her whileClover followed with little Rose.

  "Let me det down, pease," said that young lady,--the first remark she hadmade. "I tan walk all by myself. I am not a baby any more."

  "_Will_ you hear her talk?" cried Katy, catching her up. "Isn't itwonderful? Rosebud, who am I, do you think?"

  "My Aunt Taty, I dess, betause you is so big. Is you mawwied yet?"

  "No, indeed. Did you think I would get 'mawwied' without you? I have beenwaiting for you and mamma to come and help me."

  "Well, we is here," in a tone of immense satisfaction. "Now you tan."

  The larger Rose meanwhile was making acquaintance with the others. Sheneeded no introductions, but seemed to know by instinct which was each boyand each girl, and to fit the right names to them all. In five minutes sheseemed as much at home as though she had spent her life in Burnet. Th
eybore her into the house in a sort of triumph, and upstairs to the bluebedroom, which Katy and Clover had vacated for her; and such a hubbub oftalk and laughter presently issued therefrom that Cousin Helen, on theother side the entry, asked Jane to set her door open that she might enjoythe sounds,--they were so merry.

  Rose's bright, rather high-pitched voice was easily distinguishable abovethe rest. She was evidently relating some experience of her journey, withan occasional splash by way of accompaniment, which suggested that shemight be washing her hands.

  "Yes, she really has grown awfully pretty; and she had on the loveliestdark-brown suit you ever saw, with a fawn-colored hat, and was altogetherdazzling; and, do you know, I was really quite glad to see her. I can'timagine why, but I was! I didn't stay glad long, however."

  "Why not? What did she do?" This in Clover's voice.

  "Well, she didn't do anything, but she was distant and disagreeable. Iscarcely observed it at first, I was so pleased to see one of the oldHillsover girls; and I went on being very cordial. Then Lilly tried to putme down by running over a list of her fine acquaintances, Lady this, andthe Marquis of that,--people whom she and her mother had known abroad. Itmade me think of my old autograph book with Antonio de Vallombrosa, andthe rest. Do you remember?"

  "Of course we do. Well, go on."

  "At last she said something about Comte Ernest de Conflans,--I had heardof him, perhaps? He crossed in the steamer with 'Mamma and me,' it seems;and we have seen a great deal of him. This appeared a good opportunity toshow that I too have relations with the nobility, so I said yes, I had methim in Boston, and my sister had seen a good deal of him in Washingtonlast winter.

  "'And what did she think of him?' demanded Lilly.

  "'Well,' said I, 'she didn't seem to think a great deal about him. Shesays all the young men at the French legation seem more than usuallyfoolish, but Comte Ernest is the worst of the lot. He really _does_ looklike an absolute fool, you know,' I added pleasantly. Now, girls, what wasthere in that to make her angry? Can you tell? She grew scarlet, andglared as if she wanted to bite my head off; and then she turned her backand would scarcely speak to me again. Does she always behave that way whenthe aristocracy is lightly spoken of?"

  "Oh, Rose,--oh, Rose," cried Clover, in fits of laughter, "did you reallytell her that?"

  "I really did. Why shouldn't I? Is there any reason in particular?"

  "Only that she is engaged to him," replied Katy, in an extinguished voice.

  "Good gracious! No wonder she scowled! This is really dreadful. But thenwhy did she look so black when she asked where we were going, and I saidto your wedding? That didn't seem to please her any more than my littleremarks about the nobility."

  "I don't pretend to understand Lilly," said Katy, temperately; "she is anodd girl."

  "I suppose an odd girl can't be expected to have an even temper,"remarked Rose, apparently speaking with a hairpin in her mouth. "Well,I've done for myself, that is evident. I need never expect any notice infuture from the Comtesse de Conflans."

  Cousin Helen heard no more, but presently steps sounded outside her door,and Katy looked in to ask if she were dressed, and if she might bring Rosein, a request which was gladly granted. It was a pretty sight to see Rosewith Cousin Helen. She knew all about her already from Clover and Katy,and fell at once under the gentle spell which seemed always to surroundthat invalid sofa, begged leave to say "Cousin Helen" as the others did,and was altogether at her best and sweetest when with her, full ofmerriment, but full too of a deference and sympathy which made herparticularly charming.

  "I never did see anything so lovely in all my life before," she toldClover in confidence. "To watch her lying there looking so radiant and sopeaceful and so interested in Katy's affairs, and never once seeming toremember that except for that accident she too would have been a brideand had a wedding! It's perfectly wonderful! Do you suppose she is neversorry for herself? She seems the merriest of us all."

  "I don't think she remembers herself often enough to be sorry. She isalways thinking of some one else, it seems to me."

  "Well, I am glad to have seen her," added Rose, in a more serious tonethan was usual to her. "She and grandmamma are of a different order ofbeings from the rest of the world. I don't wonder you and Katy always wereso good; you ought to be with such a Cousin Helen."

  "I don't think we were as good as you make us out, but Cousin Helen hasreally been one of the strong influences of our lives. She was the makingof Katy, when she had that long illness; and Katy has made the rest ofus."

  Little Rose from the first moment became the delight of the household, andespecially of Amy Ashe, who could not do enough for her, and took her offher mother's hands so entirely that Rose complained that she seemed tohave lost her child as well as her husband. She was a sedate littlemaiden, and wonderfully wise for her years. Already, in some ways sheseemed older than her erratic little mother, of whom, in a droll fashion,she assumed a sort of charge. She was a born housewife.

  "Mamma, you have fordotten your wings," Clover would hear her saying."Mamma, you has a wip in your seeve, you must mend it," or "Mamma, don'tfordet dat your teys is in the top dwawer,"--all these reminders andadvices being made particularly comical by the baby pronunciation. Rose'stheory was that little Rose was a messenger from heaven sent to buffet herand correct her mistakes.

  "The bane and the antidote," she would say. "Think of my having a childwith powers of ratiocination!"

  Rose came down the night of her arrival after a long, freshening nap,looking rested and bonny in a pretty blue dress, and saying that aslittle Rose too had taken a good sleep, she might sit up to tea if thefamily liked. The family were only too pleased to have her do so. Aftertea Rose carried her off, ostensibly to go to bed, but Clover heard agreat deal of confabulating and giggling in the hall and on the stairs,and soon after, Rose returned, the door-bell rang loudly, and thereentered an astonishing vision,--little Rose, costumed as a Cupid or acarrier-pigeon, no one knew exactly which, with a pair of large whitewings fastened on her shoulders, and dragging behind her by a loop ofribbon a sizeable basket quite full of parcels.

  Straight toward Katy she went, and with her small hands behind her backand her blue eyes fixed full on Katy's face, repeated with the utmostsolemnity the following "poem:"

  "I'm a messender, you see, Fwom Hymen's Expwess Tumpany. All these little bundles are For my Aunty Taty Tarr; If she knows wot's dood for her She will tiss the messender."

  "I'm a messender, you see, Fwom Hymen's Expwess Tumpany."]

  "You sweet thing!" cried Katy, "tissing the messender" with all her heart."I never heard such a dear little poem. Did you write it yourself,Roslein?"

  "No. Mamma wote it, but she teached it to me so I tould say it."

  The bundles of course contained wedding gifts. Rose seemed to have broughther trunk full of them. There were a pretty pair of salt-cellars from Mrs.Redding, a charming paper-knife of silver, with an antique coin set in thehandle, from Sylvia, a hand-mirror mounted in brass from Esther Dearborn,a long towel with fringed and embroidered ends from Ellen Gray, and fromdear old Mrs. Redding a beautiful lace-pin set with a moonstone. Next camea little _repousse_ pitcher marked, "With love from Mary Silver," then aparcel tied with pink ribbons, containing a card-case of Japanese leather,which was little Rose's gift, and last of all Rose's own present, adelightful case full of ivory brushes and combs. Altogether never was sucha satisfactory "fardel" brought by Hymen's or any other express companybefore; and in opening the packages, reading the notes that came with themand exclaiming and admiring, time flew so fast that Rose quite forgot thehour, till little Rose, growing sleepy, reminded her of it by saying,--

  "Mamma, I dess I'd better do to bed now, betause if I don't I shall be tooseepy to turn to Aunt Taty's wedding to-mowwow."

  "Dear me!" cried Rose, catching the child up. "This is simply dreadful!what a mother I am! Things _are_ come to a pass indeed, if babes andsucklings have to ask to
be put to bed. Baby, you ought to have beenchristened Nathan the Wise."

  She disappeared with Roslein's drowsy eyes looking over her shoulder.

  Next afternoon came Ned, and with him, to Katy's surprise and pleasure,appeared the good old commodore who had played such a kind part in theiraffairs in Italy the year before. It was a great compliment that he shouldthink it worth while to come so far to see one of his junior officersmarried; and it showed so much real regard for Ned that everybody wasdelighted. These guests were quartered with Mrs. Ashe, but they took mostof their meals with the Carrs; and it was arranged that they, with Pollyand Amy, should come to an early breakfast on the marriage morning.

  After Ned's arrival things did seem to grow a little fuller and busier,for he naturally wanted Katy to himself, and she was too preoccupied tokeep her calm grasp on events; still all went smoothly, and Rose declaredthat there never was such a wedding since the world was made,--no tears,no worries, nobody looking tired, nothing disagreeable!

  Clover's one great subject of concern was the fear that it might rain.There was a little haze about the sunset the night before, and sheexpressed her intention to Cousin Helen of lying awake all night to seehow things looked.

  "I really feel as if I could not bear it if it should storm," she said,"after all this fine weather too; and I know I shall not sleep a wink,anyway."

  "I think we can trust God to take care of the weather even on Katy'swedding-day," replied Cousin Helen, gently.

  And after all it was she who lay awake. Pain had made her a restlesssleeper, and as her bed commanded the great arch of western sky, she sawthe moon, a sharp-curved silver shape, descend and disappear a littlebefore midnight. She roused again when all was still, solemn darknessexcept for a spangle of stars, and later, opened her eyes in time to catchthe faint rose flush of dawn reflected from the east. She raised herselfon her elbow to watch the light grow.

  "It is a fair day for the child," she whispered to herself. "How good Godis!" Then she slept again for a long, restful space, and woke refreshed,so that Katy's secret fear that Cousin Helen might be ill from excitement,and not able to come to her wedding, was not realized.

  Clover, meantime, had slept soundly all night. She and Katy shared thesame room, and waked almost at the same moment. It was early still; butthe sisters felt bright and rested and ready for work, so they rose atonce.

  They dressed in silence, after a little whispered rejoicing over thebeautiful morning, and in silence took their Bibles and sat down side byside to read the daily portion which was their habit. Then hand in handthey stole downstairs, disturbing nobody, softly opened doors and windows,carried bowls and jars out on the porch, and proceeded to arrange a greatbasket full of roses which had been brought the night before, and set inthe dew-cool shade of the willows to keep fresh.

  Before breakfast all the house had put on festal airs. Summer had comeearly to Burnet that year; every garden was in bud and blossom, and everyone who had flowers had sent their best to grace Katy's wedding. The wholeworld seemed full of delicious smells. Each table and chimney-piece bore afragrant load; a great bowl of Jacqueminots stood in the middle of thebreakfast-table, and two large jars of the same on the porch, where Cloverhad arranged various seats and cushions that it might serve as a sort ofoutdoor parlor.

  Nobody who came to that early breakfast ever forgot its peace andpleasantness and the sweet atmosphere of affection which seemed to pervadeeverything about it. After breakfast came family prayers as usual, Dr.Carr reading the chapter, and the dear old commodore joining with a heartynautical voice in,--

  "Awake my soul! and with the sun,"

  which was a favorite hymn with all of them. Ned shared Katy's book, andhis face and hers alone would have been breakfast enough for the companyif everything else had failed, as Rose remarked to Clover in a whisper,though nobody found any fault with the more substantial fare which Debbyhad sent in previously. Somehow this little mutual service of prayer andpraise seemed to fit in with the spirit of the day, and give it itskeynote.

  "It's just the sweetest wedding," Mrs. Ashe told her brother. "And thewonderful thing is that everything comes so naturally. Katy is preciselyher usual self,--only a little more so."

  "I'm under great obligations to Amy for having that fever," was Ned'ssomewhat indirect answer; but his sister understood what he meant.

  Breakfast over, the guests discreetly removed themselves; and the wholefamily joined in resetting the table for the luncheon, which was to be attwo, Katy and Ned departing in the boat at four. It was a simple butabundant repast, with plenty of delicious home-cooked food,--oysters andsalads and cold chicken; fresh salmon from Lake Superior; a big Virginiaham baked to perfection, red and translucent to its savory centre; hotcoffee, and quantities of Debby's perfect rolls. There were strawberries,also, and ice-cream, and the best of home-made cake and jellies, andeverywhere vases of fresh roses to perfume the feast. When all wasarranged, there was still time for Katy to make Cousin Helen a visit, andthen go to her room for a quiet rest before dressing; and still that sameunhurried air pervaded the house.

  There had been a little discussion the night before as to just how thebride should make her appearance at the decisive moment; but Katy hadsettled it by saying simply that she should come downstairs, and Ned couldmeet her at the foot of the staircase.

  "It is the simplest way," she said; "and you know I don't want any fuss. Iwill just come down."

  "I dare say she's right," remarked Rose; "but it seems to me to require agreat deal of courage."

  And after all, it didn't. The simple and natural way of doing a thinggenerally turns out the easiest. Clover helped Katy to put on thewedding-gown of soft crape and creamy white silk. It was trimmed with oldlace and knots of ribbon, and Katy wore with it two or three white roseswhich Ned had brought her, and a pearl pendant which was his gift. ThenClover had to go downstairs to receive the guests, and see that CousinHelen's sofa was put in the right place; and Rose, who remained behind,had the pleasure of arranging Katy's veil. The yellow-white of the oldblonde was very becoming, and altogether, the effect, though not"stylish," was very sweet. Katy was a little pale, but otherwise exactlylike her usual self, with no tremors or self-consciousness.

  Presently little Rose came up with a message.

  "Aunty Tover says dat Dr. Tone has tum, and everything is weddy, and you'dbetter tum down," she announced.

  Katy gave Rose a last kiss, and went down the hall. But little Rose was sofascinated by the appearance of the white dress and veil that she keptfast hold of Katy's hand, disregarding her mother's suggestion that sheshould slip down the back staircase, as she herself proposed to do.

  "No, I want to do with my Aunt Taty," she persisted.

  So it chanced that Katy came downstairs with pretty little Rose clingingto her like a sort of impromptu bridesmaid; and meeting Ned's eyes as hestood at the foot waiting for her, she forgot herself, lost the littlesense of shyness which was creeping over her, and responded to his lookwith a tender, brilliant smile. The light from the hall-door caught herface and figure just then, the color flashed into her cheeks; and shelooked like a beautiful, happy picture of a bride, and all byaccident,--which was the best thing about it; for pre-arranged effects arenot always effective, and are apt to betray their pre-arrangement.

  Then Katy took Ned's arm, little Rose let go her hand, and they went intothe parlor and were married.

  Dr. Stone had an old-fashioned and very solemn wedding service which hewas accustomed to use on such occasions. He generally spoke of the brideas "Thy handmaiden," which was a form that Clover particularlydeprecated. He had also been known to advert to the world where there isneither marrying nor giving in marriage as a great improvement on this,which seemed, to say the least, an unfortunate allusion under thecircumstances. But upon this occasion his feelings were warmed andtouched, and he called Katy "My dear child," which was much better than"Thy handmaiden."

  When the ceremony was over, Ned kissed Katy, and her fat
her kissed her,and the girls and Dorry and Phil; and then, without waiting for any oneelse, she left her place and went straight to where Cousin Helen lay onher sofa, watching the scene with those clear, tender eyes in which noshadow of past regrets could be detected. Katy knelt down beside her, andthey exchanged a long, silent embrace. There was no need for words betweenhearts which knew each other so well.

  After that for a little while all was congratulations and good wishes. Ithink no bride ever carried more hearty good-will into her new life thandid my Katy. All sorts of people took Ned off into corners to tell himprivately what a fortunate person he was in winning such a wife. Eachfresh confidence of this sort was a fresh delight to him, he so thoroughlyagreed with it.

  "She's a prize, sir!--she's a prize!" old Mr. Worrett kept repeating,shaking Ned's hand with each repetition. Mrs. Worrett had not been able tocome. She never left home now on account of the prevailing weakness ofcarryalls; but she sent Katy her best love and a gorgeous broom made ofthe tails of her own peacocks.

  "Aren't you sorry you are not going to stay and have a nice time with usall, and help eat up the rest of the cake?" demanded Clover, as she puther head into the carriage for a last kiss, two hours later.

  "Very!" said Katy; but she didn't look sorry at all.

  "There's one comfort," Clover remarked valiantly, as she walked back tothe house with her arm round Rose's waist. "She's coming back inDecember, when the ship sails, and as likely as not she will stay a year,or perhaps two. That's what I like about the navy. You can eat your cake,and have it too. Husbands go off for good long times, and leave theirwives behind them. I think it's delightful!"

  "I wonder if Katy will think it quite so delightful," remarked Rose."Girls are not always so anxious to ship their husbands off for what youcall 'good long times.'"

  "I think she ought. It seems to me perfectly unnatural that any one shouldwant to leave her own family and go away for always. I like Ned dearly,but except for this blessed arrangement about going to sea, I don't seehow Katy could."

  "Clover, you are a goose. You'll be wiser one of these days, see if youaren't," was Rose's only reply.