So the news of Katy’s engagement was made a matter of personal concern by a great many people, and caused a general stir, partly because she was her father’s daughter, and partly because she was herself; for Katy had won many friends by her own merit.  So long as Ned Worthington stayed, a sort of tide of congratulation and sympathy seemed to sweep through the house all day long.  Tea-roses and chrysanthemums, and baskets of pears and the beautiful Burnet grapes flooded the premises, and the door-bell rang so often that Clover threatened to leave the door open, with a card attached,—­“Walk straight in. He is in the parlor!”

Everybody wanted to see and know Katy’s lover, and to have him as a guest.  Ten tea-drinkings a week would scarcely have contented Katy’s well-wishers, had the limitations of mortal weeks permitted such a thing; and not a can of oysters would have been left in the place if Lieutenant Worthington’s leave had lasted three days longer.  Clover and Elsie loudly complained that they themselves never had a chance to see him; for whenever he was not driving or walking with Katy, or having long tete-a-tetes in the library, he was eating muffins somewhere, or making calls on old ladies whose feelings would be dreadfully hurt if he went away without their seeing him.

“Sisters seem to come off worst of all,” protested Johnnie.  But in spite of their lamentations they all saw enough of their future brother-in-law to grow fond of him; and notwithstanding some natural pangs of jealousy at having to share Katy with an outsider, it was a happy visit, and every one was sorry when the leave of absence ended, and Ned had to go away.

A month later the “Natchitoches” sailed for the Bahamas.  It was to be a six months’ cruise only; and on her return she was for a while to make part of the home squadron.  This furnished a good opportunity for her first lieutenant to marry; so it was agreed that the wedding should take place in June, and Katy set about her preparations in the leisurely and simple fashion which was characteristic of her.  She had no ambition for a great trousseau, and desired to save her father expense; so her outfit, as compared with that of most modern brides, was a very moderate one, but being planned and mostly made at home, it necessarily involved thought, time, and a good deal of personal exertion.

Dear little Clover flung herself into the affair with even more interest than if it had been her own.  Many happy mornings that winter did the sisters spend together over their dainty stitches and “white seam.”  Elsie and Johnnie were good needle-women now, and could help in many ways.  Mrs. Ashe often joined them; even Amy could contribute aid in the plainer sewing, and thread everybody’s needles.  But the most daring and indefatigable of all was Clover, who never swerved in her determination that Katy’s “things” should be as nice and as pretty as love and industry combined could make them.