Boss looked on at the celebrations with a lump in his throat. Around him, the band of hamsters was throwing rice at the happy pair and wishing them the best of luck. Bijou had never looked happier; her eyes shone brightly as she walked arm in arm with her new husband, while her wedding gown dragged on the grass beneath her. Boss had managed to get himself a new tie and hat for the occasion, and stood dumbly to one side while the other hamsters crowded around the married couple and shouted things like:
"So long, you two!"
"Have a nice honeymoon!"
"Here, I brought some extra sunflower seeds…for luck."
"Stand still, let me take your picture!"
"Zzz…g'bye…zzz…"
Boss looked at the grass, hoping that Bijou would walk off to the waiting pink pig, who would take them off on their honeymoon. Unfortunately she didn't; she went right up to him and said, "Well, Boss, I guess we won't be seeing you for a while."
"Y-yeah, um, yeah," he stammered. Then he managed, "Hope you guys have a good time on your honeymoon…Bijou…and…Ham-Ham."
"Sure we will, Boss." Ham-Ham shook the bigger hamster's paw. Bijou tiptoed and kissed his cheek; Boss' face grew red and he silently cursed himself. "Good-bye, take care. Good-bye, you all," she said, waving to the assembled party. The hamsters started shouting again, and in the middle of the noise Boss made his escape and ran down to a shaded bush where he could sit and grieve by himself. Bijou was gone, and there was no way he would get her back. He knew if he told her what he'd done, she would leave Ham-Ham and maybe…maybe…come to his side. But she must never know, because he didn't want to spoil her wedding day for her. Why should she feel in debt to some old, fat hamster, anyway?
He sat in the shade, tears in his eyes. In the distance he could still hear the other hamsters shouting and singing.