25.5.2009
9
9
Various important people from John's group of friends and relatives were invited to the wedding party. Violet's party guests, on the other hand, were few and little known except for Speedy Simon. A few knew him even though his fame had dimmed over the years. Violet herself, at any rate, was queen of the evening and surrounded by admirers. These few souls of Violet's, including her parents, stood more or less like gatecrashers near doors and windows and suffered like social hermits. Even though Violet had the best intentions, she had not the slightest chance of improving things since she was in fact smothered by admirers.
There was Solla friend with two other girls who knew Violet. They had come to the party, but had not succeeded in catching Violet's eye. It was not until the last party guests were leaving that they even succeeded in getting next to her. Then there were the customary embraces and kisses, but when they were about to start talking to her, John snatched her away, and they were left standing there and had no idea what to do. It was then that Rev. Pauline came to the rescue. She had sensed the girls' predicament and wanted to see whether she could help. She shook their hands in greeting: "I'm Pauline Paulsdottir, a friend of the couple."
"Violet has told me a little about you," said Solla friend after the girls had introduced themselves.
"Girls, I can tell you that John could not have gotten a better wife than Violet. I know about men. Just between you and me, I always thought John a bit crude in his taste in women."
"I think the groom's all right," said one of the girls who had come with Solla friend.
"All right? I've never heard such a thing. John is a very special man. No other is his equal."
They had sat down and gotten their drinks replenished. Mostly Rev. Pauline talked, and the others listened. When they realized that the guests had left, they decided to accept Rev. Pauline's invitation to go to her place.