Young Thomas , who had recovered his usual good humour , merely laughed . There was no use in being too earnest in denial , he thought . He knew that his unusual fit of petulance with his housekeeper had only convinced her that the story was true . It would die away in time , as other similar stories had died , he thought . Valley View gossip was imaginative . Young Thomas looked rather serious , however , when the minister and his wife called that evening and referred to the report . Young Thomas gravely said that it was unfounded . The minister looked graver still and said he was sorry -- he had hoped it was true . His wife glanced significantly about Young Thomas 's big , untidy sitting-room , where there were cobwebs on the ceiling and fluff in the corners and dust on the mop-board , and said nothing , but looked volumes . `` Dang it all , '' said Young Thomas , as they drove away , `` they 'll marry me yet in spite of myself . '' The gossip made him think about Adelia Williams . He had never thought about her before ; he was barely acquainted with her . Now he remembered that she was a plump , jolly-looking little woman , noted for being a good housekeeper . Then Young Thomas groaned , remembering that he must start out looking for a housekeeper soon ; and housekeepers were not easily found , as Young Thomas had discovered several times since his mother 's death ten years before . Next Sunday in church Young Thomas looked at Adelia Williams . He caught Adelia looking at him . Adelia blushed and looked guiltily away . `` Dang it all , '' reflected Young Thomas , forgetting that he was in church . `` I suppose she has heard that fool story too . I 'd like to know the person who started it ; man or woman , I 'd punch their head . ''
Nevertheless , Young Thomas went on looking at Adelia by fits and starts , although he did not again catch XXXXX looking at him .
Adelia Thomas Williams evening housekeepers humour mop-board sitting-room use years