The Heart's Kingdom

"Young Charlotte will probably be the first woman governor of the state

and--" Harriet was saying with a laugh when Letitia and Jessie arrived

precipitately. Letitia had a parcel which contained a lingerie garment

of mine, whose lace and embroidery and ribbon combined would have

enraptured most women, and Jessie carried in her hand a package of

belated wedding cards. They were followed closely by Mammy, who was in

turn followed by the meek Sally. Mammy's address was delivered to me

first.

"Git up quick, honey; the men folks has begun on the second round of

waffles and they'll be calling for you. The day is on its shanks and

a-going," she admonished, while Sallie turned on my bath.

"They are having breakfast out in the garden and the day is perfect. Do

you want blue or pink ribbons in this Valenciennes set, Charlotte?" said

Letitia, as she seated herself on the foot of my bed and drew out a

ribbon bag whose contents were of many colors.

"A fashionable wedding is a white lie; you invite all the people you

especially want to stay away," sighed Jessie, as she seated herself at

my desk and lighted a cigarette, at which Mammy rolled her black eyes

and departed with her nose in the air.

And while they all chatted over the sealing of my fate I arose and had

my toilet made in my dressing room, in full hearing of the discussions

about the best groupings of bridesmaids and the horror at the count of

the cases of wine Billy had ordered from the city for the dinner to the

groomsmen the night before the wedding.

"I adore Mark seven-tenths full, but I don't like to endure the end of

the jag next morning," laughed Nell, as she began to put ribbons into

the bodkins for Letitia. I saw Harriet give her a long look from under

her half-lowered eyelashes as she hugged the Suckling closer to her

breast. Billy had told Harriet and me casually a few nights before that

"old Mark's drinking to a double-decker liver and a sidestep in his

heart."

"Oh, gentlemen always drink in moderation. I never worry over Cliff,"

said Letitia complacently, as she tied a decorative shoulder knot.

"You expect to give him a daily dose of three drops on a lump of sugar,

Letitia?" asked Harriet, as she exchanged glances with Jessie. One

evening last week Jessie and Harriet had motored Cliff in from the Club

just in time to save him from going over the riffles and Letitia had

been dancing with him without noticing his staggers.

"There, that is the very last stitch to be taken on your trousseau,

Charlotte," said Letitia, as she laid down the filmy garment she had

been adorning with blue bowknots. "Press it, Sallie, and lay it with the

rest of the set in the second tray of the medium-sized trunk. You can

lock it and give me the key."