"Goodness, Joseph! I thought you were sound asleep. I suppose to see about the fall prices for grain and cattle."
"No, aunt," said he, speaking with determination, though the foolish blood ran rosily over his face, "I went to get a wife!"
She stood pale and speechless, staring at him. But for the rosy sign on his cheeks and temples she could not have believed his words.
"Miss Blessing?" she finally uttered, almost in a whisper.
Joseph nodded his head. She dropped into the nearest chair, drew two or three long breaths, and in an indescribable tone ejaculated, "Well!"
"I knew you would be surprised," said he; "because it is almost a surprise to myself. But you and she seemed to fall so easily into each other's ways, that I hope—"
"Why, you're hardly acquainted with her!" Rachel exclaimed. "It is so hasty! And you are so young!"
"No younger than father was when he married mother; and I have learned to know her well in a short time. Isn't it so with you, too, aunt?—you certainly liked her?"
"I'll not deny that, nor say the reverse now: but a farmer's wife should be a farmer's daughter."
"But suppose, aunt, that the farmer doesn't happen to love any farmer's daughter, and does love a bright, amiable, very intelligent girl, who is delighted with country life, eager and willing to learn, and very fond of the farmer's aunt (who can teach her everything)?"