ared. But there was no bridegroom and Georgina was
furious. Nothing Uncle Andrew could say would appease her. She wouldn't
listen to a word of explanation, but told him to go, and never show his
nose there again. So poor Uncle Andrew had to go ruefully home, hoping
that she would relent later on, because he was really very much in love
with her."

"And did she?" queried Felicity.

"She did. Thirteen years exactly from that day they were married. It
took her just that long to forgive him."

"It took her just that long to find out she couldn't get anybody else,"
said Dan, cynically.

CHAPTER XIV. A PRODIGAL RETURNS

Aunt Olivia and the Story Girl lived in a whirlwind of dressmaking after
that, and enjoyed it hugely. Cecily and Felicity also had to have
new dresses for the great event, and they talked of little else for a
fortnight. Cecily declared that she hated to go to sleep because she
was sure to dream that she was at Aunt Olivia's wedding in her old faded
gingham dress and a ragged apron.

"And no shoes or stockings," she added, "and I can't move, and everyone
walks past and looks at my feet."

"That's only in a dream," mourned Sara Ray, "but I may have to wear my
last summer's white dress to the wedding. It's too short, but ma says
it's plenty good for this summer. I'll be so mortified if I have to wear
it."

"I'd rather not go at all than wear a dress that wasn't nice," said
Felicity pleasantly.

"I'd go to the wedding if I had to go in my school dress," cried Sara
Ray. "I've never been to anything. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"My Aunt Jane always said that if you were neat and tidy it didn't
matter whether you were dressed fine or not," said Peter.

"I'm sick and tired of hearing about your Aunt Jane," said Felicity
crossly.

Peter looked grieved but held his peace. Felicity was very hard on him
that spring, but his loyalty never wavered. Everything she said or did
was right in Peter's eyes.

"It's all very well to be neat and tidy," said Sara Ray, "but I like a
little style too."

"I think you'll find your mother will get you a new dress after all,"
comforted Cecily. "Anyway, nobody will notice you because everyone will
be looking at the bride. Aunt Olivia will make a lovely bride. Just
think how sweet she'll look in a white silk dress and a floating veil."

"She says she is going to have the ceremony performed out here in
the orchard under her own tree," said the Story Girl. "