These, they came to
feel, were essentially of the same origin and traditions as themselves:
just plain people who, however, had settled on the edge of the Big Town to
make money and had made it. Pearson the elder was hardly more prepotent
than Mr. Lusk, the banker at home. George himself was a dashing go-ahead:
if he turned into a tired business-man his wife would know how to divert
him.
Medora Phillips provided rice. Also she satisfied herself as to where, if
the newer taste were not too delicate, she could put her hand on an old
shoe. She was happy to have married off Amy; she would be still happier
once Amy got away. More room would be left for other young people. By
"other young people" she meant, of course, certain young men. By "certain
young men" she thought she meant Cope and Lemoyne. Of course she meant Cope
only.
"If Carolyn keeps amiable and if Hortense contrives to regain her good-
nature, we may have some pleasant days yet," she mused.
But Hortense did not regain her good-nature; she did not even maintain her
self-control. In the end, the ceremony was too much for her. George and Amy
had plighted their troth in a floral bower, which ordinarily was a bay
window, before a minister of a denomination which did not countenance robes
nor a ritual lifted beyond the chances of wayward improvisation; and after
a brief reception the new couple prepared for the motor-car dash which was
to take them to a late train.
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