"
"But you'll marry him, all the same?"
"Yes."
"An' t'night?"
"Yes. But Ann, dear, when he comes in I want you to keep him with you as
long as you can--will you?"
"Why, sure I'll keep him, jest as long as--he'll let me! Lord, t' think
as my little Hermy'll be a married woman this night!"
"And--oh, Ann, I haven't any--trousseau--"
"Shucks! You don't need none. You're best as you are. You won't need no
fluffs an' frills, I reckon."
"But, Ann dear," said Hermione, lifting her head and shaking it
ruefully, "I have--nothing! And my best dress--I made it in such a
hurry, you remember--it needs pressing and--"
"He ain't marryin' you fer your clo'es, Hermy--no, sir! It's you he
wants an'--oh, shucks! What do clo'es matter t' you, anyway? You was
meant to be one o' them nymphs an' goddesses as went about clad--well,
airy. You'd ha' done fine with them soft arms an' shoulders an'--"
"But I'm not a goddess, Ann, I'm only poor Hermy Chesterton--with a
hole in one stocking and the lace on her petticoat torn, and her other
things--well, look here!" and up whirled gown and petticoat, "see what a
state they're in--look, Ann!"
"My dear, I am!" nodded Mrs.
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