They had been pathetically eager to have the wedding in the family church. Their reaction though, as far as she could estimate the reactions of people who were now so remote from her, was less elated glee than a quiet, rather smug satisfaction, as though their fears about the effects of her university education, never stated but aways apparent, had been calmed at last. They had probably been worried she would turn into a high-school teacher or a maiden aunt or a dope addict or a female executive, or that she would undergo some shocking physical transformation, like developing muscles and a deep voice or growing moss.
The protagonist notes that her family was eager for her wedding to be held in their church, reflecting a desire for tradition. However, she perceives that their happiness is tempered more by a sense of quiet satisfaction rather than genuine joy. This suggests they are relieved that her university studies haven't led her down a path they feared, as these worries were unspoken but always present in their minds.
This internal conflict illustrates her family's concern that her education could change her identity in undesirable ways. The mother imagines various negative outcomes for her future that trivialize her ambitions, revealing their apprehension about her independence and evolution as a person. Their relief at her conforming to expectations shows a complex dynamic between tradition and personal growth.
