e all
friends, for either we have known them since they were babies, or they
have known us since we were babies, which comes to the same thing. The
old almshouse women had a tea yesterday, and sat in the gallery in
church, and the Sunday-school children had a tea to-day, and lined the
church path and scattered roses. The Mother's Meeting was in the
gallery, too, and the Band of Hope somewhere else, and the Girls'
Friendly by the door. The whole place was _en fete_, with penny flags
hanging out of the cottage windows, and streamers tied across the High
Street. It all felt so nice, and kind, and homey.

There were eight bridesmaids, and we really _did_ look nice, in white
chiffon dresses, shepherdess hats wreathed with roses, and long white
staves wreathed with the same.

As for Vere, she was a vision of loveliness, all pink and white and
gold. We walked together downstairs into the hall, where father was
waiting to receive us. Poor father! the tears came into his eyes as he
took her hand, and looked down at her. It must be hard to bring up a
child, and go through all the anxiety and care and worry, and then, just
when she is old enough to be a real companion, to have to give her up,
and see her go away with a "perfect stranger," as Spencer says.

Last night, when I was going to bed, father held me in his arms, and
said:

"Thank heaven, I shall have you left, Babs! It will be a long time
before I can spare you to another man."

And I hugged him, and said nothing, for I knew... Ah! well, they did it
themselves once on a time, so they can't be surprised!

The church was crowded with people, and everybody turned to stare at us
as we came in, but I saw only one face--Will's face--with the light I
most loved shining in his eyes. I stood at Vere's side, and heard her
repeat her vows in sweet, firm tones, which never faltered, but Jim's
voice trembled as he made that touching promise of faithfulness "in
sickness and in health," and I saw his hand tighten over hers.

It was like a dream--the swelling bursts of music, the faces of the
clergy; behind all, the great stained window, with the Christ looking
down... Then the wedding march pealed out, we took our places in the
carriages, and drove home once more.

Vere and her husband stood beneath one of the arches of the pergola, to
receive the congratulations of their friends, a picture couple, as happy
as they were handsome. The sky was like a dome of blue, the