I even gave up the idea of making a quilt after a lovely new pattern I 've got because they made such a talk about my brown dress . '' `` I 've been kind of supposing that you must be going to marry somebody , and folks just guessed it was me , '' said Young Thomas -- he said it anxiously . `` No , I 'm not going to be married to anybody , '' said Adelia with a laugh , taking up her knitting . `` I 'm glad of that , '' said Young Thomas gravely . `` I mean , '' he hastened to add , seeing the look of astonishment on Adelia 's face , `` that I 'm glad there is n't any other man because -- because I want you myself , Adelia . '' Adelia laid down her knitting and blushed crimson . But she looked at Young Thomas squarely and reproachfully . `` You need n't think you are bound to say that because of the gossip , Mr. Everett , '' she said quietly . `` Oh , I do n't , '' said Young Thomas earnestly . `` But the truth is , the story set me to thinking about you , and from that I got to wishing it was true -- honest , I did -- I could n't get you out of my head , and at last I did n't want to . It just seemed to me that you were the very woman for me if you 'd only take me . Will you , Adelia ? I 've got a good farm and house , and I 'll try to make you happy . '' It was not a very romantic wooing , perhaps . But Adelia was forty and had never been a romantic little body even in the heyday of youth . She was a practical woman , and Young Thomas was a fine looking man of his age with abundance of worldly goods . Besides , she liked him , and the gossip had made her think a good deal about him of late . Indeed , in a moment of candour she had owned to herself the very last Sunday in church that she would n't mind if the story were true . `` I 'll -- I 'll think of it , '' she said . This was practically an acceptance , and Young Thomas so understood it .
Without loss of time he crossed the kitchen , sat down beside XXXXX , and put his arms about her plump waist .
Adelia Everett Mr. Thomas dress gossip laugh pattern quilt story