CHAPTER 11

THE WEDDING

The Abbey was indeed thronged next day when Ethel and Bernard cantered

up in a very fine carrage drawn by two prancing steeds who foamed a

good deal. In the porch stood several clean altar boys who conducted

the lucky pair up the aile while the organ pealed a merry blast The

mighty edifice was packed and seated in the front row was the Earl of

Clincham looking very brisk as he was going to give Ethel away at the

correct moment. Beside him sat Mr Salteena all in black and looking

bitterly sad and he ground his teeth as Ethel came marching up. There

were some merry hymns and as soon as Ethel and Bernard were one the

clergyman began a sermon about Adam and Eve and the serpent and [Pg 100]

Mr Salteena cried into his large handkerchief and the earl kept on

nudging him as his sniffs were rarther loud. Then the wedding march

pealed fourth and doun the church stepped Ethel and Bernard as husband

and wife. Into the cab they got and speedelly dashed off to the

Gaierty. The wedding refreshments were indeed a treat to all and even

Mr Salteena cheered up when he beheld the wedding cake and sparkling

wines. Then the earl got up and made a very fine speech about marrage

vows and bliss and he quoted several good bits from the bible which

got a lot of applause. Bernard replied in good round terms. I thank

your lordship for those kind remarks he said in clear tones I expect

we shall be as happy as a lark and I hope you will all be ditto some

day. Here Here muttered a stray lady in the crowd and down sat Bernard

while Ethel went up to change her wedding garment for a choice pink

velvit dress with a golden gurdle and a very chick tocque. Bernard

[Pg 101] also put on a new suit of blue stripe and some silk socks and

clean under clothing. Hurah hurah shouted the guests as the pair

reappeard in the aforesaid get ups. Then everybody got a bag of rice and

sprinkled on the pair and Mr Salteena sadly threw a white tennis shoe

at them wiping his eyes the while. Off drove the happy pair and the

guests finished up the food. The happy pair went to Egypt for there

Honymoon as they thought it would be a nice warm spot and they had

never seen the wondrous land. Ethel was a bit sick on the boat but

Bernard braved the storm in manly style. However Ethel had recovered

by the time they got to Egypt and here we will leave them for a merry

six weeks of bliss while we return to England.

[Pg 102]