Only the more intimate friends had been invited to the ceremony, but immediately after, the house was filled with the reception guests. Patty was in gay spirits, which was not at all unusual for that young woman. She fluttered about everywhere, like a big pink butterfly, but ever and again hovering back to Christine, to caress her, and, as she expressed it, "To keep up her drooping spirits." Christine had never entirely overcome her natural shyness, and being the centre of attraction on this occasion greatly embarrassed her, and she was glad of Patty's gay nonsense to distract attention from herself. Kenneth Harper was best man, and, as he told Patty, the responsibility of the whole affair rested on himself and her. "We're really of far greater importance than the bride and groom," he said; "and they depend on us for everything. Have you the confetti all ready, Patty?" "Yes, of course; do you have to go to the train with them, Ken?" "No; my duties are ended when I once get them packed into a motor at the door. But Christine looks as if she couldn't survive much longer, and as for old Gilbert, he's as absent-minded as the conventional bridegroom." "Christine's all right," said Patty. "I'm going to take her off, now, to get into her travelling clothes. Oh, Ken, she has the loveliest suit! Sort of a taupe colour, you know, and the dearest hat----" "Patty! Do you suppose I care what she's going to wear away? But _do_ see to it that she's ready on time! You girls will all get to weeping,--that's the way they always do,--and you'll spin out your farewells so that they'll lose their train! Run along with Christine, now; Hepworth is fidgeting like the dickens." So the pretty bridesmaid took the pretty bride away, and Patty begged Christine to make haste with her dressing, lest she might lose the train. "And Mr. Hepworth will go away without you," Patty threatened. "Now, you do always dawdle, Christine; but this time you've got to hustle,--so be spry,--Mrs. Hepworth." Christine smiled at Patty's use of the new name, and she tried to make the haste Patty demanded. But she was slow by nature, and Patty danced around her in terror, lest she should really be late. "Here's your coat, Christine,--put your arms in, do! Now the other one. Now sit down, and I'll put your hat on for you. Oh, Mrs. Hepworth, _do_ hold your head still! Here, stick this pin in yourself, or I may jab it through your brain,--though I must confess you act as if you hadn't any! or if you have, it's addled. And Ken says that husband of yours is acting just the same way. My! it's lucky you two infants had a capable and clever bridesmaid and best man to get you off! There! take your gloves,--no, don't hold them like that! put them on. Wake up, Christine; remember, the show isn't over yet. You've got to go downstairs, and be showered with confetti, and, oh, Christine, _don't_ forget to throw your bouquet!"