So, with a smile on their lips but tears in their eyes, his mother and sister left the shadow of their State House dome, and set up their household gods in an old but comfortable house in the East Sixties, not far from Park Avenue. It was on Park Avenue that Elsie lived.
Webb’s love of all beautiful things,—especially Elsie,—had led him to have the back yard of their home fixed up like an old patio or close or some such doings, and had scattered over its paved area, benches, statues, lions and other more or less damaged stoneware, picked up from certain worthwhile dealers in antiques.
So it was on this picturesque outlook the dining room windows opened, and the house being on the south side of the street, the morning sun added cheer to the already pleasant breakfast scene.
“Kimball is late this morning,” said Miss Webb, naturally, though unnecessarily.
“Small wonder,” returned her mother. “I happen to know that he was up till all hours at his dinner party.”
“What a foolish idea, having a bachelor dinner the night before one is married. I should think he’d prefer a good night’s rest to fit him for the responsibilities of the ceremony.”
“Few responsibilities devolve on Kimball’s shoulders. The best man looks after everything, I’m told.”
“And Fenn Whiting can do that. He is the most capable man I ever saw, when it comes to social matters of any sort. But I’m a little surprised at his consenting to be best man. You know he worships Elsie.”
“And I wish he had! I shall never be reconciled to Kim’s marrying that girl—”
“Rather late now to raise objections, Henrietta.”
“As if I hadn’t been raising them right along from the day I first heard the outrageous news!”
“None. But I’ve put myself on record as against the marriage.”
“You certainly have! And now, do hold your tongue about it; I think I shall send Hollis up to Kimball’s room—”
“Oh, let the poor boy alone. The wedding isn’t until four o’clock, and he may as well sleep late if he wants to. What time did he get in?”
“It was after two. He looked in to say good-night to me. He had the pendant with him.”
“He did? I thought he was to give it to Elsie yesterday.”
“He was. But she was afraid to keep it in her possession over night,—they have no safe.”