But upon this occasion his feelings were warmed and touched, and he called Katy "My dear child," which was much better than "Thy handmaiden." When the ceremony was over, Ned kissed Katy, and her father kissed her, and the girls and Dorry and Phil; and then, without waiting for any one else, she left her place and went straight to where Cousin Helen lay on her sofa, watching the scene with those clear, tender eyes in which no shadow of past regrets could be detected.

Katy knelt down beside her, and they exchanged a long, silent embrace.

There was no need for words between hearts which knew each other so well.
After that for a little while all was congratulations and good wishes.

I think no bride ever carried more hearty good-will into her new life than did my Katy.

All sorts of people took Ned off into corners to tell him privately what a fortunate person he was in winning such a wife.