Under a magical starry sky, Welty’s picnic at the Grove calms the frayed edges of family life after a momentous wedding. Though it is held at night, the air is cool and still summery warm, the stars twinkles as shooting stars burst across the sky, and the sound of the horse and wagon is reassuring.
“I don’t see a bit of use trying to sit down to a big supper tonight, after all, we’ve been eating, wedding food, company food . . . We’ll just have a little picnic,” said Ellen at the dinner table.
“Come to the Grove!” cried Primrose. The aunts were on hand at Shellmound for the welcomes and goodbyes, of course.
“Marmion!” said Battle. “By God, it’s not too hot for a barbecue. Not if we keep good and away from the fire.”
“Troy loves barbecue,” said Dabney gravely. . .
But it was too hot for a barbecue, as seen by four o’clock, and they took a cold supper of ice cream, sandwiches of sliced chicken and turkey, sandwiches, caramel and coconut cakes, lemon chiffon pie, and an iced tea jug.
The next day, the family will disperse; tonight, they will be united, if just for the picnic.
Featured Image: Map of the Delta Country
See Eudora Welty. Delta Wedding. Eds. Richard Ford and Michael Kreyling. New York: The Library of America, 1946, rpt. 1998. Originally published by Harcourt Brace.