CHAPTER XII.
THE WEDDING Lunch was served on the porch, for the tables for the wedding supper were already spread in the dining-room, and Alec had locked the doors that nothing might disturb its perfect order.
"I think we are really going to be able to avoid that last wild rush which usually accompanies home weddings," said Mrs.Sherman, as they sat leisurely talking over the dessert.

"Usually the bridesmaids' gloves are missing, or the bride's slippers have been packed into one of the trunks and sent on ahead to the depot.

But this time I have tried to have everything so perfectly arranged that the wedding will come to pass as quietly and naturally as a flower opens.

I want to have everything give the impression of having _bloomed_ into place." "Eliot and Mom Beck are certainly doing their part to make such an impression," said Eugenia.

"Eliot has already counted over every article I am to wear, a dozen times, and they're all laid out in readiness, even to the 'something blue.'" "Oh, that reminds me!" began Lloyd, then stopped abruptly.