You can't teach me anything, you old snobs. I've got your son,
and you'd better mind your p's and q's."
Wotton opened the door and put on as much of a wedding face as he
could. Jim saw that the old man was informed, and he said:
"This is Wotton, my dear. He's the real head of the house."
Kedzie might better have shaken hands with him than have given him
the curt nod she begrudged him. She looked past him to see Mrs.
Dyckman, in whose arms she found herself smothered. Mrs. Dyckman,
in her bride-fright, had rather rushed the situation.
Kedzie hardly knew what to do. She was overawed by the very bulk as
well as the prestige of her mother-in-law. She did not quite dare
to embrace Mrs. Dyckman, and she could think of nothing at all
to say.
Mrs. Dyckman was impressed with Kedzie's beauty and paid it
immediate tribute.
"Oh, but you are an exquisite thing! No wonder our boy is mad
about you."
Kedzie's heart pranced at this, and she barely checked the giggle
of triumph that bounded in her throat. But the only thing she could
think of was what she dared not say: "So you're the famous Mrs.
Dyckman! Why, you're fatter than momma." She said nothing, but wore
one of her most popular smiles, that look of wistful sweetness that
had melted countless of her movie worshipers.
She was caught from Mrs. Dyckman's shadow by Jim's father, who
said, "Don't I get a kiss?" and took one. Kedzie returned this
kiss and found the old gentleman very handsome, not in the least
like her father.
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