It's your wedding, children. You choose. It's OK by me.'
My next meeting was with the Head of Harvard Law School.
'I'll need a scholarship for next year, sir,' I said politely.
'A scholarship? I don't understand. Your father—'
'My father has nothing to do with it, sir. We've had a
disagreement, and he isn't supporting me any more.' The
Head took off his glasses, then put them on again. I
continued, 'That's why I've come here to see you, sir. I'm
getting married next month. We're both going to work
during the summer. Then Jenny will support us by teaching.
But her teaching won't pay enough to send me to law school.
Sir, I need a scholarship. I have no money in the bank.'
'Mr Barrett, our scholarships are for poor people. And it's
too late to ask for one. I do not wish to enter into a family
disagreement, but I think you should go and talk to your
father again.'
'Oh no!' I said angrily. 'I am not, repeat not, going back
to my father to ask for money!'
When Jenny graduated from university that summer, all her
relations came from Cranston to watch. We didn't tell them
about our marriage plans because we wanted a quiet
wedding, and didn't want to hurt their feelings. I graduated
from Harvard the next day. Was Oliver the Third there in
the university hall? I don't know. I didn't look for Old
Stonyface in the crowd. I gave my parents' tickets to Jenny
and Phil, but as an old Harvard man my father could sit with
29
Love Story
7 think you should go and talk to your father again.'
the Class of '26. But why should he want to? I mean, weren't
the banks open that day?
The wedding was on the next Sunday. It was very quiet
and very beautiful. Phil was there, of course, and my friend
Ray Stratton. Jenny and I spoke about our love for each
other and promised to stay together until death. Ray gave me
the ring and soon Oliver Barrett the Fourth and Jennifer
Cavilleri were man and wife.
We had a small party afterwards, just the four of us. Then
Ray and Phil went home and Jenny and I were alone together.
'Jenny, we're really married!'
'Yes. Now I can be as terrible to you as I like!'