They say he is mad as a hatter at the trick Olivia played on him . '' After tea Peggy and I went over to see Aunt Olivia , who had asked our advice about a wrapper . She was sewing as for dear life , and her face was primmer and colder than ever . I wondered if she knew of Mr. Malcolm MacPherson 's departure . Delicacy forbade me to mention it but Peggy had no such scruples . `` Well , Aunt Olivia , your beau is off , '' she announced cheerfully . `` You wo n't be bothered with him again . He is leaving on the mail train for the west . '' Aunt Olivia dropped her sewing and stood up . I have never seen anything like the transformation that came over her . It was so thorough and sudden as to be almost uncanny . The old maid vanished completely , and in her place was a woman , full to the lips with primitive emotion and pain . `` What shall I do ? '' she cried in a terrible voice . `` Mary -- Peggy -- what shall I do ? '' It was almost a shriek . Peggy turned pale . `` Do you care ? '' she said stupidly . `` Care !
Girls , I shall DIE if Malcolm XXXXX goes away !
Delicacy MacPherson Olivia Peggy anything hatter life primmer scruples woman