When her guests went home in the starlit December dusk , Miss Cornelia walked part of the way with them and had a long confidential talk with Mrs. Grant . When she returned it was to find Hannah groaning in and over the kitchen and the schoolteacher dreamily trying to clean some molasses off his boots with the kitchen hairbrush . Long-suffering Miss Cornelia rescued her property and despatched Mr. Palmer into the woodshed to find the shoe-brush . Then she sat down and laughed . `` Hannah , what will become of that boy yet ? There 's no counting on what he 'll do next . I do n't know how he 'll ever get through the world , I 'm sure , but I 'll look after him while he 's here at least . I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for this Christmas blunder . What an awful mess this place is in ! But , Hannah , did you ever in the world see anything so delightful as that little Tommy Smithson stuffing himself with plum cake , not to mention Teddy Grant ? It did me good just to see them . '' A Strayed Allegiance `` Will you go to the Cove with me this afternoon ? '' It was Marian Lesley who asked the question . Esterbrook Elliott unpinned with a masterful touch the delicate cluster of Noisette rosebuds she wore at her throat and transferred them to his buttonhole as he answered courteously : `` Certainly . My time , as you know , is entirely at your disposal . '' They were standing in the garden under the creamy bloom of drooping acacia trees . One long plume of blossoms touched lightly the soft , golden-brown coils of the girl 's hair and cast a wavering shadow over the beautiful , flower-like face beneath it . Esterbrook Elliott , standing before her , thought proudly that he had never seen a woman who might compare with her . In every detail she satisfied his critical , fastidious taste . There was not a discordant touch about her .
Esterbrook Elliott had always loved Marian XXXXX -- or thought he had .
Cornelia Elliott Hannah Lesley Noisette Palmer Smithson hairbrush schoolteacher starlit