Francie Comes Home (26 page)

“You're sure you young people know your own mind,” said Pop. “You're sure of that, aren't you?”

Anne said, smiling, “You could have a lovely fall wedding, you know. Rose velvet and chrysanthemums and the October sun. And a lovely long summer of engagement. Parties, and showers, and wearing your ring. An engagement is nice, don't underestimate it.”

Aunt Norah stood up decisively. “No.” Everyone turned to her. “No. Engagements can be too long. Too long, and too high strung, and too dangerous.” She paused, and there was deep June quiet in the room. “I say if Francie wants a June wedding, we'll have a June wedding.”

“Oh, Aunt Norah.” Francie was up and across the room, hugging her, and Aunt Norah was sputtering about something, and everyone relaxed and laughed and the date was set.

“Of course it's none of my business,” said Pop, “but it certainly happened suddenly with you two, didn't it?”

“No, sir, it didn't really,” said Glenn. He looked straight at Francie. “I guess I've loved Francie from the very beginning. I suppose I never thought anyone could
marry
Francie—she'd always be off for somewhere. And when I got off the train, she was
there
—”

“I went down that afternoon and waited and watched the clock in the station and listened for the train, and then I realized—oh, you know,” Francie finished shyly.
Glenn is coming home to me, Glenn is coming home to me in Jefferson
, she had found herself saying, and when he stepped down from the train, she thought she would never be able to breathe normally again. What Glenn had seen was Francie with shining eyes and a face so beautiful and eager that he had dropped his bag and walked over to her and there in the late hot afternoon in front of everybody he had held her tightly in his arms.

“Well, you know,” Francie finished. “I've always loved Glenn.” She suddenly twirled around on her heel, laughing. “Imagine! We've scooped Aunt Biddy!”

The wedding was splendid. It was the last day of June, and full summer buzzed and shone in Jefferson. Glenn was altogether a man, proud and serious. Pop gave the bride away, wonderfully grave; Aunt Norah and Anne sat close together. Aunt Biddy looked almost tender, and sniffled into her sacheted handkerchief. All Jefferson was there.

And Francie was beautiful.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 1956 by Emily Hahn

Cover design by Mauricio Diaz

ISBN: 978-1-5040-2474-7

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