She promised , and she wanted the promise first . '' During the next fortnight tragedy held grim sway in the little weather-gray house among the firs -- a tragedy tempered with grim comedy for Cecily , who , amid all her agony , could not help being amused at Lucy Ellen 's romantic way of sorrowing . Lucy Ellen did her mornings ' work listlessly and drooped through the afternoons . Cecily would have felt it as a relief if Lucy Ellen had upbraided her , but after her outburst on the night she sent Cromwell away , Lucy Ellen never uttered a word of reproach or complaint . One evening Cecily made a neighborly call in the village . Cromwell Biron happened to be there and gallantly insisted upon seeing her home . She understood from Cromwell 's unaltered manner that Lucy Ellen had not told him why she had refused him . She felt a sudden admiration for her cousin . When they reached the house Cromwell halted suddenly in the banner of light that streamed from the sitting-room window . They saw Lucy Ellen sitting alone before the fire , her arms folded on the table , and her head bowed on them . Her white cat sat unnoticed at the table beside her . Cecily gave a gasp of surrender . `` You 'd better come in , '' she said , harshly . `` Lucy Ellen looks lonesome . '' Cromwell muttered sheepishly , `` I 'm afraid I would n't be company for her . Lucy Ellen does n't like me much -- '' `` Oh , does n't she ! '' said Cecily , bitterly . `` She likes you better than she likes me for all I 've -- but it 's no matter . It 's been all my fault -- she 'll explain . Tell her I said she could .
Come XXXXX , I say . ''
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