Peter avoiding them and talking to them when needs must, with that distant, uninterested look and voice, was quite another.
The next morning, Peter, after finding what a fifth wheel in a coach all men are at weddings, finally stood up with his friend.

He had not been asked to stay on for another night, as had most of the bridal party, so he slipped away as soon as his duty was done, and took a train that put him into New York that evening.

A week later he said good-bye to the young couple, on the deck of a steamship.
"Don't forget us, Peter," shouted Watts, after the fasts were cast off and the steamer was slowly moving into mid-stream.
Peter waved his hat, and turning, walked off the pier.
"Could he forget them ?" was the question he asked himself..