Throwing yourself at Jed 's head -- and he does n't want you , even with all your property . '' `` He does want me , '' said Mattie calmly . Her lips were very firm and her cheeks scarlet . `` He is not going away . We are to be married about Christmas , and Jed will take charge of the farm for me . '' `` Matilda Adams ! '' said Selena . It was all she was capable of saying . The rest of the golden russets were picked in a dead silence , Mattie working with an unusually high colour in her cheeks , while Selena 's thin lips were pressed so closely together as to be little else than a hair line . After Selena had gone home , sulking , Mattie picked on with a very determined face . The die was cast ; she could not bear Selena 's slurs and she would not . And she had not told a lie either . Her words were true ; she would make them true . All the Adams determination -- and that was not a little -- was roused in her . `` If Jed jilts me , he 'll do it to my face , clean and clever , '' she said viciously . When Jed came again he was very solemn . He thought it would be his last visit , but Mattie felt differently . She had dressed herself with unusual care and crimped her hair . Her cheeks were scarlet and her eyes bright . Jed thought she looked younger and prettier than ever .
The thought that this was the last time he would see her XXXXX many a long day to come grew more and more unbearable , yet he firmly determined he would let no presuming word pass his lips .
After If about at for in than to while with