They were to have the
frolic only on condition that they would go to bed and not insist on
being at the wedding. This they readily agreed to; for they feared
they would not be allowed to sit up anyway, and they thought best to
make sure of the candy-pulling.
When the little girls reached Aunt Nancy's cabin, two big kettles of
molasses were on the fire, and, to judge by the sputtering and
simmering, the candy was getting on famously. Uncle Sambo had brought
his fiddle in, and some of the children were patting and singing and
dancing, while others were shelling goobers and picking out
scaly-barks to put in the candy; and when the pulling began, if you
could have heard the laughing and joking you would have thought there
was no fun like a candy stew.
As a special favor, the little girls were allowed to stay up and see
Candace married; and very nice she looked when her mistress had
finished dressing her: her white Swiss was fresh and new, and the
wreath and veil were very becoming, and she made quite a pretty bride;
at least Jim thought so, and that was enough for her.
Jim was dressed in a new pepper-and-salt suit, his Christmas present
from his master, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all looked very
fine. Mamma arranged the bridal party in the back parlor, and the
folding-doors were thrown open.
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