She never thought it possible that Rebecca could be persisting in her engagement to William Berry against her express command.

Her own obstinacy was incredible to her in her daughter; she had not the slightest suspicion of it, and Rebecca had less to guard against.
As the fall advanced Rebecca showed less and less inclination to go in the village society.

Her mother fairly drove her out at times.
Once Rebecca, utterly overcome, sank down in a chair and wept when her mother urged her to go to a husking-party in the neighborhood.
"You've got to spunk up an' go, if you don't feel like it," said her mother.

"You'll feel better for it afterwards.

There ain't no use in givin' up so.