Rudolph studied agriculture and,
when he had mastered his subject, returned to Rexow, where he was
intrusted with the management of the farm, and married Mina. No finer
wedding had ever been celebrated in the neighborhood. All the rich
relatives of Joseph Nuessler were present, in addition to the more
intimate friends. There was also a horde of young people whom uncle
Braesig had been permitted to invite from Rahnstaedt, where he had been
living since his retirement on a pension.
Mina looked for all the world like a rosy apple lying on a silver plate
surrounded by its green leaves as she stood there in her white satin
gown and myrtle wreaths. Uncle Braesig was groomsman, and blew his nose
energetically as he said: "My little Mina! My little godchild! How happy
she looks!" and every time one of the fat old Nuessler's gave Mina a
kiss, he bent down and kissed Mrs. Behrens, as much as to imply that he
thought this would prevent any contamination of his goddaughter by the
foolish old Nuesslers with their wretched worldly notions. But finally,
when Braesig was about to salute her again, she said: "You ought to be
ashamed of yourself, Braesig." Then Braesig drew back rather crestfallen
and said: "Don't take it ill of me, Mrs. Behrens, my feelings ran away
with me."
Those kindly feelings often ran away with him and enabled him to bring
happiness to his friends where more cautious people would have been
helpless.
Pages:
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479