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XXX. A Wedding at the Stone House
‘s,sochockfullofbook-learningandvanitythatthereain’troomforanythingelse.You’reallright.Collegewon’tbeabletodoyoumuchharm,Ireckon.”
DianaandAnnedroveovertoEchoLodgeaftertea,takingwiththemallthefloweryspoilthatseveralpredatoryexpeditionsintheirownandtheirneighbors’gardenshadyielded.Theyfoundthestonehouseagogwithexcitement.CharlottatheFourthwasflyingaroundwithsuchvimandbrisknessthatherbluebowsseemedreallytopossessthepowerofbeingeverywhereatonce.LikethehelmetofNavarre,Charlotta’sbluebowswavedeverinthethickestofthefray.
“Praisebetogoodnessyou’vecome,”shesaiddevoutly,“forthere’sheapsofthingstodo...andthefrostingonthatcakeWON’Tharden...andthere’sallthesilvertoberubbedupyet...andthehorsehairtrunktobepacked...andtheroostersforthechickensaladarerunningouttherebeyantthehenhouseyet,crowing,MissShirley,ma’am.AndMissLavendarain’ttobetrustedtodoathing.IwasthankfulwhenMr.Irvingcameafewminutesagoandtookheroffforawalkinthewoods.Courting’sallrightinitsplace,MissShirley,ma’am,butifyoutrytomixitupwithcookingandscouringeverything’sspoiled.That’sMYopinion,MissShirley,ma’am.”
AnneandDianaworkedsoheartilythatbyteno’clockevenCharlottatheFourthwassatisfied.Shebraidedherhairininnumerableplaitsandtookherwearylittlebonesofftobed.
