"Now, really," said Mrs. Snow to her one evening, when Miss Butterworth was illuminating the parsonage by her presence—"now, really, you must tell us all about it. I'm dying to know."
"Oh, it's too ridiculous for anything," said Miss Butterworth, laughing herself almost into hysterics.
"Now, what, Keziah? What's too ridiculous? You are the most provoking person!"
"The idea of my getting married!"
Mrs. Snow jumped up and seized Miss Butterworth's hands, and said:
"Why, Keziah Butterworth! You don't tell me! You wicked, deceitful creature!"
The three Misses Snow all jumped up with their mother, and pressed around the merry object of their earnest congratulations.
"So unexpected and strange, you know," said the oldest.
"So very unexpected!" said the second.
"And so very strange, too!" echoed Number Three.