--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He arranged the ceremony for two o'clock…" description: "\"“He arranged the ceremony for two o'clock in the afternoon a week before she was to leave. The exam had gone well and she was almost certain that she w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59a/colm-toibin-3377_coney-island_he-arranged-the-ceremony-for-two-o-clock_1721798.png" --- # He arranged the ceremony for two o'clock in the afternoon… ![“He arranged the ceremony for two o'clock in the afternoon a week before she was to leave. The exam had gone well and she was almost certain that she would qualify. Because other couples to be married came with family and friends, their ceremony seemed brisk and over quickly and caused much…” quote by Colm Tóibín](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59a/colm-toibin-3377_coney-island_he-arranged-the-ceremony-for-two-o-clock_1721798.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59a/colm-toibin-3377_coney-island_he-arranged-the-ceremony-for-two-o-clock_1721798.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59a/colm-toibin-3377_coney-island_he-arranged-the-ceremony-for-two-o-clock_1721798.png) > ““He arranged the ceremony for two o'clock in the afternoon a week before she was to leave. The exam had gone well and she was almost certain that she would qualify. Because other couples to be married came with family and friends, their ceremony seemed brisk and over quickly and caused much curiosity among those waiting because they had come alone. On their journey to Coney Island on the train that afternoon Tony raised the question for the first time of when they might marry in church and live together. 'I have money saved,' he said, 'so we could get an apartment and then move to the house when it's ready.' 'I don't mind,' she said. 'I wish we were going home together now.' He touched her hand. 'So do I,' he said. 'And the ring looks great on your finger.' She looked down at the ring. 'I'd better remember to take it off before Mrs Kehoe sees it.' The ocean was rough and grey and the wind blew white billowing clouds quickly across the sky. They moved slowly along the boardwalk and down the pier, where they stood watching the fishermen. As they walked back and sat eating hot dogs at Nathan's, Eilis spotted someone at the next table checking out her wedding ring. She smiled at herself. 'Will we ever tell our children that we did this?' she asked.”” [Colm Tóibín](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-toibin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young couple navigates love, uncertainty, and future plans amid a fleeting moment of intimacy and societal expectations. **In simple terms:** Love and future plans in a brief, uncertain moment. Key Takeaway Embrace the present while planning together. Themes love uncertainty future societal expectations Mood hopeful reflective nostalgic Type narrative conversational When to use this quote - first date - engagement talk - planning a home - watching strangers - reflecting on legacy Key Concepts commitment identity choice class dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance present joy with future responsibilities? - What fears arise when planning a shared life? 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Some are married because the woman fell pregnant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-couples-are-married-because-they-fell-in-love-some-are-married/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [A lot of Hollywood couples get married young and wind up growing out of their relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-stanger/a-lot-of-hollywood-couples-get-married-young-and-wind-up-growing-out/) [Patti Stanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-stanger/) > [I could never be one of two I could never be two in one as married couples do and can, I am but one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/i-could-never-be-one-of-two-i-could-never-be-two-in-one-as-married/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“Most couples get married because it's time, not because they're in love. 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We'd find our way to the water and watch the fireworks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/when-i-grew-up-we-went-to-coney-island-and-central-park-we-d-find-our/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) [Browse all 41 Coney island quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coney-island/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He arranged the ceremony for two o'clock in the afternoon a week before she was to leave. The exam had gone well and she was almost certain that she would qualify. Because other couples to be married came with family and friends, their ceremony seemed brisk and over quickly and caused much curiosity among those waiting because they had come alone. On their journey to Coney Island on the train that afternoon Tony raised the question for the first time of when they might marry in church and live together. 'I have money saved,' he said, 'so we could get an apartment and then move to the house when it's ready.' 'I don't mind,' she said. 'I wish we were going home together now.' He touched her hand. 'So do I,' he said. 'And the ring looks great on your finger.' She looked down at the ring. 'I'd better remember to take it off before Mrs Kehoe sees it.' The ocean was rough and grey and the wind blew white billowing clouds quickly across the sky. They moved slowly along the boardwalk and down the pier, where they stood watching the fishermen. As they walked back and sat eating hot dogs at Nathan's, Eilis spotted someone at the next table checking out her wedding ring. She smiled at herself. 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