\"No，youwouldn’teatyourheartout；you’dalwaysgetwhatyouwantedsomehow，andyouwouldn’twaitforiteither；andI’mjustthesame。I’mnotbuiltforgivingup，andenduring，andsacrificing。I’mnaturallyjustatuftofthistle—down，Mark；butlivingbesideWaitstillalltheseyearsI’vegrownashamedtobesolight，blowingabouthitherandthither。Ikeptlookingatherandborrowingsomeofherstrength，justenoughtomakemeworthytobehersister。WaitstillislikeabitofPlymouthRock，onlyit’salovelybitonthelandside，withearthinthecrevices，andflowersbloomingalloveritandhidingthegranite。Oh！ifonlyshewillforgiveus，Mark，Iwon’tmindwhatfathersaysordoes。\"
\"Shewillforgiveus，Pattydarling；don’tfret，andcry，andmakeyourprettyeyesallred。I’11donothinginallthistomakeeitherofyougirlsashamedofme，andI’llkeepyourfatherandmineeverbeforemymindtopreventmybeingfoolishorreckless；for，youknow，Patty，I’mheelsoverheadinlovewithyou，andit’sonlyforyoursakeI’mtakingallthesepainsandagreeingtodowithoutmyownweddedwifeforweekstocome！\"
\"Doesthetownclerk，ordoesthejusticeofthepeacegiveawedding—ring，justliketheminister？\"Pattyasked。\"Ishouldn’tfeelmarriedwithoutaring。\"
\"Theringisallready，andhas’M。W。toP。B。’engravedinit，withtheplaceforthedatewaiting；andhereistheengagementringifyou’11wearitwhenyou’realone，Patty。MymothergaveittomewhenshethoughttherewouldbesomethingbetweenAnnabelFranklinandme。ThemomentIlookedatit——youseeit’satopazstone——andnoticedtheyellowfireinit，Isaidtomyself：’ItislikenoonebutPattyBaxter，andifshewon’twearit，noothergirlshall！’It’sthecolorofthetipendsofyourcurlsandit’sjustlikethelightinyoureyeswhenyou’remakingfun！\"
\"It’sheavenly！\"criedPatty。\"Itlooksasifithadbeenmadeoftheyellowautumnleaves，andoh！howIlovethesparkleofit！
ButneverwillItakeyourmother’sringorwearit，Mark，tillI’veprovedmyselfherloving，dutifuldaughter。I’lldotheonewrongthingofrunningawaywithyouandconcealingourmarriage，butnotanotherifIcanhelpit。\"
\"Verywell，\"sighedMark，replacingtheringinhispocketwithratheracrestfallenair。\"Butthefirstthingyouknowyou’llbetoogoodforme，Patty！Youusedtobearegularwill—o’—the—wisp，allnonsenseandfun，foreverlaughingandteasing，sothatafellowcouldneverbesureofyoufortwominutestogether。\"
\"It’sallthereunderneath，\"saidPatty，puttingherhandonhisarmandturningherwistfulfaceuptohis。\"Itwillcomeagain；
thegirlinmeisn’tdead；sheisn’tevenasleep；butshe’sallsobereddown。Shecan’tlaughjustnow，shecanonlysmile；andthetearsarewaitingunderneath。
readytospringoutifanyonesaysthewrongword。ThisPattyisfrightenedandanxiousandherheartbeatstoofastfrommorningtillnight。Shehasn’tanymother，andshecannotsayawordtoherdearsister，andshe’sgoingawaytobemarriedtoyou，that’salmostastranger，andsheisn’teighteen，anddoesn’tknowwhat’scomingtoher，norwhatitmeanstobemarried。Shedreadsherfather’sanger，andshecannotresttillsheknowswhetheryourfamilywillloveherandtakeherin；and，oh！she’samiserable，worriedgirl，notabitliketheoldPatty。\"
Markheldhercloseandsmoothedthecurlsundertheloosebrownhood。\"Don’tyoufret，Pattydarling！I’mnottheboyIwaslastweek。Everywordyousaymakesmemoreofaman。AtfirstIwouldhaverunawayjustforthejoke；anythingtogetyouawayfromtheotherfellowsandproveIwasthebestman，butnow’I’msobereddown，too。I’lldonothingrash；I’llbeasstaidasthejudgeyouwantmetobetwentyyearslater。You’vemademeover，Patty，andifmyloveforyouwasn’ttherightsortatfirst，itisnow。IwishtheroadtoNewHampshirewasfulloflionsandI
couldfightmywaythroughthemjusttoshowyouhowstrongI
feel！\"
\"There’llbelionsenough，\"smiledPattythroughhertears，\"thoughtheywon’thavemanesandtails；butIcanimaginehowfatherwillroar，andhowmycouragewilloozeoutoftheheelsofmyboots！\"
\"JustletmecatchtheDeaconroaringatmywife！\"exclaimedMarkwithaswellingchest。\"Now，runalong，Pattydear，forIdon’twantyouscoldedonmyaccount。There’ssuretobeonlyadayortwoofwaitingnow，andIshallsoonseethesignalwavingfromyourwindow。I’llsoundEllenandseeifshe’sbraveenoughtobeoneoftheelopingparty。Good—night！Good—night！Oh！HowI
hopeourgoingawaywillbeto—morrow，mydearest，dearestPatty！\"
WINTER
XXVI
AWEDDING—RING
THEsnowhadcome。Ithadbeguntofallsoftlyandsteadilyatthebeginningoftheweek，andnowfordaysithadcoveredthegrounddeeperanddeeper，driftingaboutthelittleredbrickhouseonthehilltop，bankingupagainstthebarn，andshroudingtheshedsandthesmallerbuildings。Therehadbeentwocold，stillnights；thewindowswerecoveredwithsilverylandscapeswhosedelicatefoliagemadeeverypaneofglassaleafybower，whileadazzlingcrustbediamondedthehillsides，sothatnoeyecouldrestonthemlongwithoutbecomingsnow—blinded。
Town—HouseHillwasnotaswelltravelledasmanyothers，andDeaconBaxterhadoftentobreakhisownroaddowntothestore，withoutwaitingforthehelpofthevillagesnow—ploughtomakethingseasierforhim。ManyapathhadWaitstillbrokeninhertime，anditwasbynomeansoneofhermostdistastefultasks——thatofshovellingintothedriftsofheaped—upwhiteness，tossingthemtoonesideortheother，andcuttinganarrow，clean—edgedtrackthatwouldpackdownintothehardnessofmarble。
Thereweremany\"chores\"tobedonethesecoldmorningsbeforeanyhouseholdcoulddrawabreathofcomfort。TheBaxterskeptbutonecowinwinter，killedthepig，——nottoeat，buttosell，——andreducedtheflockofhensandturkeys；butWaitstillwasalwaysasbusyinthebarnasinherownproperdomain。Herheartyearnedforallthedumbcreaturesabouttheplace，interveningbetweenthemandherfather’sscantycare；andwhenthethermometerdescendedfarbelowzeroshewouldbefoundstuffinghayintotheholesandcracksofthebarnandhen—house，givingthehorseandcowfreshbeddingsofstrawandamouthfulofextrafoodbetweentheslendermealsprovidedbytheDeacon。
Itwasthreeo’clockintheafternoonandafireintheBaxters’
kitchensincesixinthemorninghadproducedafairlytemperateclimateinthatoneroom，thoughtheentriesandchambersmighthavebeenusedforrefrigerators，astheDeaconwasasparsimoniousintheuseoffuelasinallotherthings，andifhisdaughtershadnotbeenhardyyoungcreatures，trainedfromtheirverybirthtodiscomfortsandexposuresofeverysort，theywouldhavediedlongago。
TheBaxterkitchenandglitteredinallitsaccustomedcleanlinessandorder。Scrubbingandpolishingwerecheapamusements，andnobodygrudgedthemtoWaitstill。NotablesinRiverborowerewhiter，notinsmorelustrous，nopewterbrighter，nobrickhearthsruddierthanhers。ThebeansandbrownbreadandIndianpuddingwerebaskinginthewarmthoftheoldbrickoven，andwhatwiththecrackleandsparkleofthefire，thegleamofthebluewillow—wareonthecupboardshelves，andthescarletgeraniumsbloomingonthesunnyshelfabovethesink，therewerefewpleasanterplacetobefoundinthevillagethanthatsameBaxterkitchen。YetWaitstillwasillateasethisafternoon；shehardlyknewwhy。HerfatherhadjustputthehorseintothepunganddrivenuptoMilliken’sMillsforsomegrain，andPattywasdownatthestoreinstructingBillMorrill（CephasCole’ssuccessor）inhisnoveltaskofwaitingoncustomersandlearningthewhereaboutsofthings；noeasytaskinthebewilderingvarietyofstockinacountrystore；wherepins，treacle，gingham，Epsomsalts，Indianmeal，shoestrings，shovels，brooms，sulphur，tobacco，suspenders，rum，andindigomaybedemandedinrapidsuccession。
Pattywasquietanddocilethesedays，thoughhercolorwasmorebrilliantthanusualandhereyeshadalltheiraccustomedsparkle。Shewentaboutherworksteadily，neitherrantingnorrailingatfate，norbewailingherlot，buteveninthisWaitstillfeltasenseofchangeanddifferencetoosubtletobeputinwords。ShehadnotedPatty’ssummerflirtations，butregardedthemindulgently，verymuchasiftheyhadbeentheirresponsiblefriskingsofalambinameadow。Waitstillhadmorethantheusualreserveinthesematters，forinNewEnglandatthattime，thoughthesoulwasasubjectofdailyconversation，theheartwasfelttoberatheranindelicatetopic，tobealludedtoasseldomaspossible。WaitstillcertainlywouldneverhaveexaminedPattycloselyastothestateofheraffections，intimateasshewaswithhersister’sthoughtsandopinionsaboutlife；shesimplybidedhertimeuntilPattyshouldconfideinher。ShehadwishednowandthenthatPatty’scapriciousfancymightsettleonPhilipPerry，although，indeed，whensheconsidereditseriously，itseemedlikeanalliancebetweenabutterflyandanowl。CephasColesheregardedasquitebeneathPatty’srightfulambitions，andasforMarkWilson，shehadgrownupinthebelief，heldinthevillagegenerally，thathewouldmarrymoneyandposition，anddriftoutofRiverborointoagayer，largerworld。Herdevotiontohersisterwassoardent，andheradmirationsosincere，thatshecouldnotthinkitpossiblethatPattywouldloveanywhereinvain；nevertheless，shehadaninstinctthatheraffectionswerecrystallizingsomewhereorother，andwhenthathappened，theuncertainandeccentrictemperofherfatherwouldraiseathousandobstacles。
WhilethesethoughtscoursedmoreorlessvagrantlythroughWaitstill’smind，shesuddenlydeterminedtogethercloakandhoodandrunovertoseeMrs。Boynton。IvoryhadbeenawayagooddealinthewoodssinceearlyNovemberchoppingtreesandhelpingtomakenewroads。Hecouldnotgolongdistances，liketheothermen，ashefeltconstrainedtocomehomeeverydayortwotolookafterhismotherandRodman，buttheworkwastoolucrativetobealtogetherrefused。WithWaitstill’shelp，hehadatlastovercomehismother’saversiontooldMrs。Mason，theirnearestneighbor；andshe，beingnowawidowwithveryslenderresources，wenttotheBoyntons’severaltimeseachweektoputtheforlornhouseholdalittleonitsfeet。
ItwasalluphillanddowntoIvory’sfarm，Waitstillreflected，andshecouldtakehersledandslidehalftheway，goingandcoming，orshecouldcutacrossthefrozenfieldsonthecrust。
Shecaughtuphershawlfromahookonthekitchendoor，and，throwingitoverherheadandshoulderstoshieldherselffromthechillblastsonthestairway，ranuptoherbedroomtomakeherselfreadyforthewalk。
Sheslippedonaquiltedpetticoatandwarmerdress，braidedherhairfreshly，whileherbreathwentoutinawhitecloudtomeetthefreezingair；snatchedherwrapsfromhercloset，andwasjustgoingdownthestairswhensherememberedthatanhourbefore，havingtobindupacutfingerforherfather，shehadsearchedPatty’sbureaudrawerforanoldhandkerchief，andhadleftthingsindisorderwhilesherantoanswertheDeacon’simpatientcallandstampuponthekitchenfloor。
\"Hurryupanddon’tmakemestan’hereallwinter！\"hehadshouted。\"Ifyoueverkeptthingsinproperorder，youwouldn’thavetohuntalloverthehouseforapieceofragwhenyouneedit！\"
Pattywasverydaintyaboutherfewpatchedanddarnedbelongings；alsoveryexactintheadjustmentofherbitsofribbon，hercollarsofcrochetedthread，heradoredcoralpendants，andherpileofneatcottonhandkerchiefs，hem—stitchedbyherownhands。Waitstill，accordingly，withanexclamationatherownunwontedcarelessness，dartedintohersister’sroomtoreplaceinperfectorderthearticlesshehaddisarrangedinherhaste。Sheknewthemall，thesepoorlittletrinkets，——humble，patheticevidencesofPatty’sfemininevanityanddesiretomakeherbrightbeautyatriflebrighter。
Suddenlyherhandandhereyefellatthesamemomentonsomethinghiddeninafarcornerunderawhite\"fascinator，\"oneofthosehead—coveringsoffilmywool，dottedwithbeads，wornbythegirlsoftheperiod。Shedrewtheglittering，unfamiliarobjectforward，andthenlifteditwonderinglyinherhand。Itwasastringofburnishedgoldbeads，theavoweddesireofPatty’sheart；astringofbeadswithabrilliantlittlestoneinthefastening。And，asifthatwerenotmysteryenough，therewassomethingslippedovertheclaspednecklaceandhangingfromit，asWaitstillheldituptothelight——acircletofplaingold，awedding—ring！
Waitstillstoodmotionlessinthecoldwithsuchathrongofbewilderingthoughts，misgivings，imaginings，rushingthroughherheadthattheywerelikeaflockofbirdsbeatingtheirwingsagainstherears。Theimaginingswerenotthoseofabsolutedreadorterror，forsheknewherPatty。Ifshehadseenthenecklacealoneshewouldhavebeenanxious，indeed，foritwouldhavemeantthatthegirl，urgedonbyungoverneddesirefortheornament，hadacceptedpresentfromonewhoshouldnothavegivenittohersecretly；butthewedding—ringmeantsome—thingdifferentforPatty，——somethingmore，somethingcertain，somethingunescapable，forgoodorill。Awedding—ringcouldstandfornothingbutmarriage。CouldPattybemarried？How，when，andwherecouldsogreatathinghappenwithoutherknowledge？Itseemedimpossible。Howhadsuchachildsurmountedthedifficultiesinthepath？Hadshebeenledawaybytheattractionsofsomestranger？No，therehadbeennoneinthevillage。TherewasonlyonemanwhohadtheworldlywisdomorthemeanstocarryPattyoffundertheveryeyeofherwatchfulsister；onlyonewiththerecklesscouragetodefyherfather；
andthatwasMarkWilson。HisnamedidnotbringabsoluteconfidencetoWaitstill’smind。Hewasgayandyoungandthoughtless；howhadhemanagedtodothiswildthing？——andhadhedonealldecentlyandwisely，withconsiderationforthegirl’sgoodname？ThethoughtofalltheriskslyinginthetrainofPatty’syouthandinexperiencebroughtawailofanguishfromWaitstill’slips，and，droppingthebeadsandclosingthedrawer，shestumbledblindlydownthestairwaytothekitchen，intentupononethoughtonly——tofindhersister，tolookinhereyes，feelthetouchofherhand，andassureherselfofhersafety。
Shegaveadazedlookatthetallclock，andwasbeginningtoputonhercloakwhenthedooropenedandPattyenteredthekitchenbywayoftheshed；theusualPatty，rosy，buoyant，alert，withakindofchildlikeinnocencethatcouldhardlybeassociatedwiththepossessionofwedding—rings。
\"Areyougoingout，Waity？Wrapupwell，forit’sfreezingcold。
Waity，Waity，dear！What’sthematter？\"shecried，comingclosertohersisterinalarm。
Waitstill’sfacehadlostitsclearcolor，andhereyeshadthelookofsomedumbanimalthathasbeenstruckandwounded。Shesankintotheflag—bottomedrockerbythewindow，andleaningbackherhead，utterednoword，butclosedhereyesandgaveonelong，shiveringsighandadrysobthatseemeddrawnfromtheverybottomofherheart。
XXVII
THECONFESSIONAL
\"WAITY，Iknowwhatitis；youhavefoundoutaboutme！WhohasbeenwickedenoughtotellyoubeforeIcoulddoso——tellme，who？\"
\"Oh，Patty，Patty！\"criedWaitstill，whocouldnolongerholdbackhertears。\"Howcouldyoudeceivemeso？Howcouldyoushutmeoutofyourheartandkeepasecretlikethisfromme，whohavetriedtobemotherandsisterinonetoyoueversincethedayyouwereborn？Godhassentmemuchtobear，butnothingsobitterasthis——tohavemysistertakethegreateststepofherlifewithoutmyknowledgeorcounsel！\"
\"Stop，dear，stop，andletmetellyou！\"
\"Allistold，andnotbyyouasitshouldhavebeen。We’veneverhadanythingseparatefromeachotherinallourlives，andwhenIlookedinyourbureaudrawerforabitofsoftcotton——itwasnothingmorethanIhavedoneahundredtimes——youcanguessnowwhatIstumbledupon；awedding—ringforahandIhaveheldeversinceitwasababy’s。Mysisterhasahusband，andIamnotevensureofhisname！
\"Waity，Waity，don’ttakeitsotoheart！\"andPattyflungherselfonherkneesbesideWaitstill’schair。\"Nottillyouheareverything！WhenItellyouall，youwilldryyoureyesandsmileandbehappyaboutme，andyouwillknowthatinthewholeworldthereisnooneelseinmyloveormylifebutyouandmy——myhusband。\"
\"Whoisthehusband？\"askedWaitstilldryly，asshewipedhereyesandleanedherelbowonthetable。
\"WhocoulditbebutMark？HasthereeverbeenanyonebutMark？\"
\"Ishouldhavesaidthattherewereseveral，inthesepastfewmonths。\"
Waitstill’stoneshowedclearlythatshewasstillgrievedandhurtbeyondherpowertoconceal。
\"IhaveneverthoughtofmarryinganyonebutMark，andnotevenofmarryinghimtillalittlewhileago，\"saidPatty。\"Nowdonotdrawawayfrommeandlookoutofthewindowasifwewerenotsisters，oryouwillbreakmyheart。Turnyoureyestomineandbelieveinme，Waity，whileItellyoueverything，asIhavesolongedtodoallthesenightsanddays。MarkandIhavelovedeachotherforalong，longtime。Itwasonlyplayatfirst，butwewereyoungandfoolishanddidnotunderstandwhatwasreallyhappeningbetweenus。\"
\"Youarebothofyouonlyafewmonthsolderthanwhenyouwere’youngandfoolish，’\"objectedWaitstill。
\"Yes，weare——yearsandyears！FiveweeksagoIpromisedMarkthatIwouldmarryhim；buthowwasIevertokeepmywordpublicly？Youhavenoticedhowinsultinglyfathertreatshimoflate，passinghimbywithoutawordwhenhemeetshiminthestreet？Youremember，too，thathehasnevergonetoLawyerWilsonforadvice，orputanybusinessinhishandssincespring？\"
\"TheWilsonsareamongfather’saversions，thatisallyoucansay；itisnousetotryandexplainthemorrebelagainstthem，\"
Waitstillansweredwearily。
\"Thatisallverywell，andmightbebornelikemanyanothercross；butIwantedtomarrythisparticular’aversion，\"’arguedPatty。WouldyouhavehelpedmetomarryMarksecretlyifIhadconfidedinyou？\"
\"Neverintheworld——never！\"
\"Iknewit，\"exclaimedPattytriumphantly。\"Webothsaidso！AndwhatwasMarktodo？Hewasmorethanwillingtocomeuphereandaskformelikeaman，butheknewthathewouldbeorderedoffthepremisesasifhewereathief。ThatwouldhaveangeredMr。
andMrs。Wilson，andmademattersworse。Wetalkedandtalkeduntilwewerehoarse；wethoughtandthoughtuntilwenearlyhadbrainfeverfromthinking，butthereseemedtobenowaybuttotakethebullbythehorns。\"
\"Youarebothsoyoung，youcouldwellhavebidedawhile。\"
\"Wecouldhavebideduntilweweregray，nothingwouldhavechangedfather；andjustlatelyIcouldn’tmakeMarkbide，\"
confessedPattyingenuously。\"Hehasbeeninarageaboutfather’streatmentofyouandme。Heknowswehaven’ttherightfoodtoeat，nothingfittowear，andnotanhourofpeaceorfreedom。Hehasevenheardthemenatthestoresaythatourverylivesmightbeindangerifwecrossedfather’swill，orangeredhimbeyondacertainpoint。Youcan’tblameamanwholovesagirl，ifhewantstotakeherawayfromsuchawretchedlife。Hislovewouldbegoodfornothingifhedidnotlongtorescueher！\"
\"Iwouldneverhaveleftyoubehindtobearyourslaveryalone，whileIslippedawaytohappinessandcomfort——notforanymanalivewouldI
Ihavedoneit！\"Thisspeech，sounlikeWaitstillinitsungenerousreproach，wasrepentedofassoonasitlefthertongue。\"Oh，Ididnotmeanthat，mydarling！\"shecried。\"I
wouldhavewelcomedanychangeforyou，andthankedGodforit，ifonlyitcouldhavecomehonorablyandaboveboard。\"
\"But，don’tyousee，Waity，howmymarriagehelpseverything？
Thatiswhatmakesmehappiest；thatnowIshallhaveahomeanditcanbeyours。Fatherhasplentyofmoneyandcangetahousekeeper。Heisonlysixty—five，andashaleandheartyasamancanbe。Youhaveservedyourtime，andsurelyyouneednotbehisdrudgefortherestofyourlife。MarkandIthoughtyouwouldspendhalftheyearwithus。\"
Waitstillwaivedthispointastooimpossiblefordiscussion。
\"Whenandwherewereyoumarried，Patty？\"sheasked。
\"InAllentown，NewHampshire，lastMonday，thedayyouandfatherwenttoSaco。Ellenwentwithus。Youneedn’tsupposeitwasmuchfunforme！Girlsthatthinkrunningawaytobemarriedisnothingbutalark，donothavetodeceiveasisterlikeyou，norhaveafathersuchasminetoreckonwithafterwards。\"
\"Youthoughtofallthatbefore，didn’tyou，child？\"
\"Nobodythathasn’talreadyrunawaytobemarriedonceortwicecouldtellhowitwasgoingtofeel！NeverdidIpasssounhappyaday！IfMarkwasnoteverythingthatiskindandgentle，hewouldhavetippedmeoutofthesleighintoasnowbankandleftmebytheroadsidetofreeze。Imighthavebeenmurderedinsteadofonlymarried，bythewayIbehaved；butMarkandEllenunderstood。Then，theverynextday，Mark’sfathersenthimuptoBridgtononbusiness，andhehadtogotoAllentownfirsttoreturnafriend’shorse，sohecouldn’tbreakthenewstofatheratonce，asheintended。\"
\"DoesaNewHampshiremarriageholdgoodinMaine？\"askedWaitstill，stillintentonthebarefactsatthebottomoftheromance。
\"Well，ofcourse，\"stammeredPatty，some—whatconfused，\"Mainehasherownwayofdoingthings，andwouldn’tbelikelytofancyNewHampshire’s。Butnothingcanmakeitwickedoranythingbutaccordingtolaw。Besides，Markconsideredallthedifficulties。
Heiswonderfullyclever，andhehasaclerkshipinaPortsmouthlawofficewaitingforhim；andthat’swherewearegoingtolive，inNewHampshire，whereweweremarried，andmydarlingsisterwillcomesoonandstaymonthsandmonthswithus。\"
\"WhenisMarkcomingbacktoarrangeallthis？\"
\"Lateto—nightorearlyto—morrowmorning。
283
\"Wheredidyougoafteryouweremarried？\"
\"WheredidIgo？\"echoedPatty，inachildishburstoftears。
\"WherecouldIgo？Ittookalldaytobemarried——alldaylong，workinganddrivinghardfromsunrisetoseveno’clockintheevening。Thenwhenwereachedthebridge，Markdroppedme，andI
walkeduphomeinthedark，andwenttobedwithoutanysupper，forfearthatyouandfatherwouldcomebackandcatchmeatitandaskwhyIwassolate。\"
\"Mypoor，foolishdear！\"sighedWaitstill。
Patty’stearsflowedfasteratthefirstsoundofsympathyinWaitstill’svoice，forself—pityisveryenfeebling。Shefairlysobbedasshecontinued：——
\"Somyonlywedding—journeywasthefreezingdrivebackfromAllentown，withEllencryingallthewayandwishingthatshehadn’tgonewithus。MarkandIbothsaywe’llneverbemarriedagainsolongaswelive！\"
\"Wherehaveyouseenyourhusbandfromthatdaytothis？\"
\"Ihaven’tlaideyesonhim！\"saidPatty，withafreshburstofwoe。\"Ihaveacertificate—thing，andawedding—ringandabeautifulfrockandhatthatMarkboughtinBoston，butnorealhusband。I’mnomoremarriedthaneverIwas！Don’tyourememberIsaidthatMarkwassentawayonTuesdaymorning？AndthisisThursday。I’vehadthreelettersfromhim；butIdon’tknow，tillweseehowfathertakesit，whenwecantelltheWilsonsandstartforPortsmouth。Weshan’treallycallourselvesmarriedtillwegettoPortsmouth；wepromisedeachotherthatfromthefirst。Itisn’tmuchlikebeingabride，nevertoseeyourbridegroom；tohaveafatherwhowillflyintoapassionwhenhehearsthatyouaremarried；nottoknowwhetheryournewfamilywilllikeordespiseyou；andtohaveyouronlysisterangeredwithyouforthefirsttimeinherlife！\"
Waitstill’sheartmelted，andsheliftedPatty’stear—stainedfacetohersandkissedit。\"Well，dear，Iwouldnothavehadyoudothisfortheworld，butitisdone，andMarkseemstohavebeenaswiseasamancanbewhenhedoesanunwisething。Youaremarried，andyouloveeachother。That’sthecomfortingthingtome。\"
\"Wedo，\"sobbedPatty。\"Notwopeopleeverlovedeachotherbetterthanwe；butit’sbeenallspoiledforfearoffather。\"
\"ImustsayIdreadtohavehimhearthenews\"；andWaitstillknittedherbrowsanxiously。\"Ihopeitmaybesoon，andIthinkIoughttobeherewhenheistold。Markwillneverunder—standorbearwithhim，andtheremaybetroublethatIcouldavert。\"
\"I’llbehere，too，andI’mnotafraid！AndPattyraisedherheaddefiantly。\"Fathercanunmarryus，that’swhyweactedinthismiserable，secret，underhandedway。Somehow，thoughIhaven’tseenMarksincewewenttoAllentown，IambraverthanIwaslastweek，fornowI’vegotsomebodytotakemypart。I’veagoodmindtogoupstairsandputonmygoldbeadsandmywedding—ring，justtogetusedtothemandtofeelalittlemoremarried。——No：I
can’t，afterall，forthereisfatherdrivingupthehillnow，andhemaycomeintothehouse。Whatbringshimhomeatthishour？\"
