The tears were streaming from Hannah's eyes. She took up her apron and
buried her face in its folds.
"Now what's all that about?" continued Reuben, in distress; then
suddenly brightening up, he said: "Oh, I know now! You're thinking of
Nancy and Peggy! Don't be afeard, Hannah! They won't do, nor say, nor
even so much as look anything to hurt your feelings! and they had better
not, if they know which side their bread is buttered! I am the master of
my own house, I reckon, poor as it is! And my wife will be the mistress;
and my sisters must keep their proper places! Come, Hannah! come, my
darling, what do you say to me?"' he whispered, putting his arm over her
shoulders, while he tried to draw the apron from her face.
She dropped her apron, lifted her face, looked at him through her
falling tears, and answered: "This is what I have to say to you, dear, dearest, best loved Reuben! I
feel your goodness in the very depths of my heart; I thank you with all
my soul; I will love you--you only--in silence and in solitude all my
life; I will pray for you daily and nightly; but--" She stopped and
sobbed.
"But--" said Reuben breathlessly.
"I will never carry myself and my dishonor under your honest roof."
Reuben caught his suspended breath with a sharp gasp and gazed in blank
dismay upon the sobbing woman for a few minutes, and then he said: "Hannah--oh, my Lord! Hannah, you never mean to say that you won't marry
me?"
"I mean just that, Reuben."
"Oh, Hannah, what have I done to offend you? I never meant to do it! I
don't even know how I've done it! I'm such a blundering animal! But tell
me what it is, and I will beg your pardon!"
"It is nothing, you good, true heart! nothing! But you have two
sisters--"
"There, I knew it! It's Nancy and Peggy! They've been doing something to
hurt your feelings! Well, Hannah, they shall come here and ask your
forgiveness, or else they shall leave my home and go to earn their
living in somebody's kitchen! I've been a father to them gals; but I
won't suffer them to insult my own dear Hannah!" burst forth Reuben.
"Dear Reuben, you are totally mistaken! Your sisters no more than
yourself have ever given me the least cause of offense. They could not,
dear Reuben! They must be good girls, being your sisters."