Besides, I knew quite
well that Prissy, in her secret soul, was hankering to be married.
So was Emmeline, too--but nobody wanted to help HER to a husband.
The upshot of my meditations was that I asked Stephen down
to dinner with us from church one day. I had heard a rumour
that he was going to see Lizzie Pye over at Avonlea, and I
knew it was time to be stirring, if anything were to be done.
If it had been Jane Miranda I don't know that I'd have bothered;
but Lizzie Pye wouldn't have done for a stepmother for
Althea's boys at all. She was too bad-tempered, and as mean
as second skimmings besides.
Stephen came. He seemed dull and moody, and not much inclined to talk.
After dinner I gave Thomas a hint. I said,
"You go to bed and have your nap. I want to talk to Stephen."
Thomas shrugged his shoulders and went. He probably thought I was
brewing up lots of trouble for myself, but he didn't say anything.
As soon as he was out of the way I casually remarked to Stephen
that I understood that he was going to take one of my neighbours
away and that I couldn't be sorry, though she was an excellent
neighbour and I would miss her a great deal.
"You won't have to miss her much, I reckon," said Stephen grimly.
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