citedly, showing an increase
of excitement over the first time they rose, and looking back._
ETHEL. Are they coming?
BLANCHE. No-- [_General murmur of disappointment._] It's the bride's
mother. [_All sit again._ MRS. WOLTON _enters on the arm of_ DOUGLAS.
_She is very handsomely dressed in black velvet and white lace. She is
shown into the pew with_ MRS. FLETCHER. _They exchange greetings._
DOUGLAS _exits, at the same time the_ CLERGYMAN _enters behind the
chancel rail and goes back behind the palms, &c. Meanwhile the
following dialogue is taking place._
MRS. LORRIMER. [_Leaning over._] You mean how it doesn't.
KITTY. [_Half turning to look back._] Susie Printly's Baltimore cousin
has just come in--do you think she's a beauty?
ETHEL. You mean that _awfully_ blonde girl.
MRS. LORRIMER. [_Laughingly._] Yes, that's she. Fifty cents the small
bottle, seventy-five the larger size! [_All three laugh. Short pause._
ETHEL. I suppose you've heard she's engaged?
MRS. LORRIMER. No, to whom?
ETHEL. Oh, only an American. [_Pause._
MRS. LORRIMER. Weddings always give me a homesick feeling. I like them
so.
KITTY. Well, you've had your share of them, you know.
MRS. LORRIMER. Not at all. I've only been married _twice_. Do you know
who I have my eyes on now?
KITTY. No, who is it?
MRS. LORRIMER. _Mr. Dawson!_
ETHEL. What?
KITTY. You're serious ... to marry him.
MRS. LORRIMER. Yes! Everyone will tell you he's one of the best men in
the world.
ETHEL. But my dear, that's a change for you! How'll you ever get him
into the divorce court?
MRS. LORRIMER. Nonsense! I don't want to. Haven't you heard ... my
house in Dakota's for sale. I don't belong to the Divorce Club any
more ... the membership is getting entirely too mixed! [_They look
back into the church at the people._ MRS. WOLTON _leans over to_ MRS.
FLETCHER.
MRS. WOLTON. I am so nervous I could almost cry out! Oh, I shall be so
relieved ... really, I can't tell you ... when the ceremony's over.
[_Organ. Wedding march._ FLETCHER _and his groomsman enter in front of
the chancel rails. Guests all rise, showing excitement and turning
half-way face off the stage, looking down the centre aisle._ MRS.
WOLTON _and_ MRS. FLETCHER _stand facing the altar._ MRS. FLETCHER
_takes_ MRS. WOLTON'S _arm affectionately and holds it tight in
friendly sympathy. The faint sound is heard of boys' and men's voices
singing with the organ the wedding hymn. All watch
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