To say that I was pleased with her, would but half express what I felt.
There was to be a juvenile party at the house of one of our acquaintances that evening, to which the children were invited; and we were at work in preparing dresses and other matters suitable for them to appear in.
Twelve o'clock came very quickly--too quickly for me, in fact; for I had not accomplished near so much as I had hoped to do.

It would require the most diligent application, through every moment of time that intervened until the dinner hour, for us to get through with what we were doing, so as to have the afternoon to ourselves for the intended excursion.
As the clock rung out the hour of noon, I exclaimed: "Is it possible! I had no idea that it was so late.

How slowly I do seem to get along!" Just at this moment the bell rung.
"Bless me! I hope we are not to have visitors this morning," said I, as I let my hands fall in my lap.

I thought hurriedly for a moment, and then remarked, in a decided way: "Of course we cannot see any one.

We are engaged." By this time I heard the footsteps of Mary on her way from the kitchen, and I very naturally passed quickly to the parlor door to intercept and give her my instructions.
"Say that I'm engaged," was on my tongue.