Then a young girl was found to take care of the bedrooms, and wait on table, attired in white gowns and aprons and caps.
Ida had a reception two weeks after her return from her bridal trip, and an elaborate menu was provided by a caterer from New York.

Maria, in a new white gown, with a white bow on her hair, sat at one end of the dining-table, shining with cut-glass and softly lighted with wax-candles under rose-colored shades in silver candlesticks, and poured chocolate, while another young girl opposite dipped lemonade from a great cut-glass punch-bowl, which had been one of the wedding-presents.

The table was strewn with pink-and-white carnations.

Maria caught a glimpse now and then of her new mother, in a rose-colored gown, with a bunch of pink roses on her breast, standing with her father receiving their guests, and she could scarcely believe that she was awake and it was really happening.

She began to take a certain pleasure in the excitement.