ten
minutes after six
The early arrivals were the young people who had hung the mantel , gas fixtures , curtain poles and draped the doors with long sprays of bittersweet , northern holly , and great branches of red spice berries , dogwood with its red leaves and berries , and scarlet and yellow oak leaves . The elders followed and piled the table with heaps of food , then trailed red vines between dishes . In a quandary as to what to wear , without knowing what was expected of him further than saying `` I will , '' at the proper moment , Robert ended by slipping into Kate 's room , dressed in white flannel . The ceremony was over at ten minutes after six . Kate was lovely , Robert was handsome , everyone was happy , the supper was a banquet . The Bates family went home , Adam disappeared with Milly , while Little Poll went to sleep . Left to themselves , Robert took Kate in his arms and tried to tell her how much he loved her , but felt he expressed himself poorly .