Then she said, "Miranda, if you will put yourself into my hands I'll have you married to Joe before four o'clock tomorrow afternoon." "Oh, you couldn't." "I can and I will.

But you'll have to do exactly as I tell you." "Oh--I--don't think--oh, father will kill me--" "Nonsense.

He'll be very angry I suppose.

But are you more afraid of your father's anger than you are of Joe's never coming back to you ?" "No," said Miranda, with sudden firmness, "I'm not." "Will you do as I tell you then ?" "Yes, I will." "Then get Joe on the long-distance at once and tell him to bring out a license and ring tonight." "Oh, I couldn't," wailed the aghast Miranda, "it--it would be so--so indelicate." Rilla shut her little white teeth together with a snap.

"Heaven grant me patience," she said under her breath.