(N ELL L ATINE'S Wedding .)
Take my cloak — and now fix my veil, Jenny; —
How silly to cover one's face!
I might as well be an old woman,
But then there's one comfort — it's lace.
Well, what has become of those ushers? —
Oh, Pa, have you got my bouquet?
I'll freeze standing here in the lobby,
Why doesn't the organist play?
They've started at last — what a bustle!
Stop, Pa! — they're not far enough — wait!
One minute more — now! Do keep step, Pa!
There, drop my trail, Jane! — is it straight?
I hope I look timid, and shrinking!
The church must be perfectly full —
Good gracious, please don't walk so fast, Pa!
He don't seem to think that trains pull.
The chancel at last — mind the step, Pa! —
I don't feel embarrassed at all —
But, my! What's the minister saying?
Oh, I know, that part 'bout Saint Paul.
I hope my position is graceful —
How awkwardly Nelly Dane stood!
" Not lawfully be joined together,
Now speak " — as if any one would.
Oh, dear, now it's my turn to answer —
I do wish that Pa would stand still.
" Serve him, love, honor, and keep him " —
How sweetly he says it — I will.
Where's Pa? — there, I knew he'd forget it
When the time came to give me away —
" I, Helena, take thee — love — cherish —
And " — well, I can't help it, — " obey. "
Here, Maud, take my bouquet — don't drop it —
I hope Charley's not lost the ring!
Just like him! — no — goodness, how heavy!
It's really an elegant thing.
It's a shame to kneel down in white satin —
And the flounce real old lace — but I must —
I hope that they've got a clean cushion,
They're usually covered with dust.
All over — ah, thanks! — now, don't fuss, Pa! —
Just throw back my veil, Charley — there!
Oh, bother! Why couldn't he kiss me
Without mussing up all my hair!
Your arm, Charley, there goes the organ —
Who'd think would be such a crowd!
Oh, I mustn't look round, I'd forgotten,
See, Charley, who was it that bowed?
Why — it's Nelly Allaire, with her husband —
She's awfully jealous, I know,
'Most all of my things were imported,
And she had a home-made trousseau .
And there's Annie Wheeler — Kate Hermon —
I didn't expect her at all —
If she's not in that same old blue satin
She wore at the Charity Ball!
Is that Fanny Wade? — Edith Pommeton —
And Emma, and Jo — all the girls!
I knew that they'd not miss my wedding —
I hope they'll all notice my pearls.
Is the carriage there? — give me my cloak, Jane,
Don't get it all over my veil —
No! you take the other seat, Charley —
I need all of this for my trail.
Take my cloak — and now fix my veil, Jenny; —
How silly to cover one's face!
I might as well be an old woman,
But then there's one comfort — it's lace.
Well, what has become of those ushers? —
Oh, Pa, have you got my bouquet?
I'll freeze standing here in the lobby,
Why doesn't the organist play?
They've started at last — what a bustle!
Stop, Pa! — they're not far enough — wait!
One minute more — now! Do keep step, Pa!
There, drop my trail, Jane! — is it straight?
I hope I look timid, and shrinking!
The church must be perfectly full —
Good gracious, please don't walk so fast, Pa!
He don't seem to think that trains pull.
The chancel at last — mind the step, Pa! —
I don't feel embarrassed at all —
But, my! What's the minister saying?
Oh, I know, that part 'bout Saint Paul.
I hope my position is graceful —
How awkwardly Nelly Dane stood!
" Not lawfully be joined together,
Now speak " — as if any one would.
Oh, dear, now it's my turn to answer —
I do wish that Pa would stand still.
" Serve him, love, honor, and keep him " —
How sweetly he says it — I will.
Where's Pa? — there, I knew he'd forget it
When the time came to give me away —
" I, Helena, take thee — love — cherish —
And " — well, I can't help it, — " obey. "
Here, Maud, take my bouquet — don't drop it —
I hope Charley's not lost the ring!
Just like him! — no — goodness, how heavy!
It's really an elegant thing.
It's a shame to kneel down in white satin —
And the flounce real old lace — but I must —
I hope that they've got a clean cushion,
They're usually covered with dust.
All over — ah, thanks! — now, don't fuss, Pa! —
Just throw back my veil, Charley — there!
Oh, bother! Why couldn't he kiss me
Without mussing up all my hair!
Your arm, Charley, there goes the organ —
Who'd think would be such a crowd!
Oh, I mustn't look round, I'd forgotten,
See, Charley, who was it that bowed?
Why — it's Nelly Allaire, with her husband —
She's awfully jealous, I know,
'Most all of my things were imported,
And she had a home-made trousseau .
And there's Annie Wheeler — Kate Hermon —
I didn't expect her at all —
If she's not in that same old blue satin
She wore at the Charity Ball!
Is that Fanny Wade? — Edith Pommeton —
And Emma, and Jo — all the girls!
I knew that they'd not miss my wedding —
I hope they'll all notice my pearls.
Is the carriage there? — give me my cloak, Jane,
Don't get it all over my veil —
No! you take the other seat, Charley —
I need all of this for my trail.