But she loitered with him at the gate until the grandfather 's clock in the hall struck eleven . Then Cromwell went away , whistling gaily , with Lucy Ellen 's chrysanthemum in his buttonhole , and Lucy Ellen went in and cried half the night . But Cecily did not cry . She lay savagely awake until morning . `` Cromwell Biron is courting you again , '' she said bluntly to Lucy Ellen at the breakfast table . Lucy Ellen blushed nervously . `` Oh , nonsense , Cecily , '' she protested with a simper . `` It is n't nonsense , '' said Cecily calmly . `` He is . There is no fool like an old fool , and Cromwell Biron never had much sense . The presumption of him ! '' Lucy Ellen 's hands trembled as she put her teacup down . `` He 's not so very old , '' she said faintly , `` and everybody but you likes him -- and he 's well-to-do . I do n't see that there 's any presumption . '' `` Maybe not -- if you look at it so . You 're very forgiving , Lucy Ellen . You 've forgotten how he treated you once . '' `` No -- o -- o , I have n't , '' faltered Lucy Ellen . `` Anyway , '' said Cecily coldly , `` you should n't encourage his attentions , Lucy Ellen ; you know you could n't marry him even if he asked you . You promised . ''
All the fitful color went out of Lucy XXXXX 's face .
Biron Cecily Cromwell Ellen buttonhole chrysanthemum morning night simper teacup