I -- I -- did n't expect this . But I do n't care if Anna is married , so long as the girl who wrote those letters is n't . It 's you I love , Alma . '' He bent down and put his arm about her , laying his cheek against hers . The little red spot where his kiss had fallen was now quite drowned out in the colour that rushed over her face . `` If you 'll marry me , Alma , I 'll forgive you , '' he said . A little smile escaped from the duress of Alma 's lips and twitched her dimples . `` I 'm willing to do anything that will win your forgiveness , Gilbert , '' she said meekly . Aunt Caroline 's Silk Dress Patty came in from her walk to the post office with cheeks finely reddened by the crisp air . Carry surveyed her with pleasure . Of late Patty 's cheeks had been entirely too pale to please Carry , and Patty had not had a very good appetite . Once or twice she had even complained of a headache . So Carry had sent her to the office for a walk that night , although the post office trip was usually Carry 's own special constitutional , always very welcome to her after a weary day of sewing on other people 's pretty dresses . Carry never sewed on pretty dresses for herself , for the simple reason that she never had any pretty dresses . Carry was twenty-two -- and feeling forty , her last pretty dress had been when she was a girl of twelve , before her father had died . To be sure , there was the silk organdie Aunt Kathleen had sent her , but that was fit only for parties , and Carry never went to any parties . `` Did you get any mail , Patty ? '' she asked unexpectantly . There was never much mail for the Lea girls . `` Yes 'm , '' said Patty briskly .
`` Here 's the Weekly Advocate , and a patent medicine almanac with all your dreams expounded , and a letter for Miss Carry M. XXXXX .
Alma Caroline Gilbert Kathleen Lea Patty colour day dimples night