' It is not easy, on any system of
punctuation, to represent the Captain's speech. Yet I hope there
may shine out of these facts, even as there shone through his own
troubled utterance, some of the charm of that delightful spirit.
In 1881, the time of the golden wedding came round for that sad and
pretty household. It fell on a Good Friday, and its celebration
can scarcely be recalled without both smiles and tears. The
drawing-room was filled with presents and beautiful bouquets;
these, to Fleeming and his family, the golden bride and bridegroom
displayed with unspeakable pride, she so painfully excited that the
guests feared every moment to see her stricken afresh, he guiding
and moderating her with his customary tact and understanding, and
doing the honours of the day with more than his usual delight.
Thence they were brought to the dining-room, where the Captain's
idea of a feast awaited them: tea and champagne, fruit and toast
and childish little luxuries, set forth pell-mell and pressed at
random on the guests.
Pages:
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297