I thought that her desire for marriage in the abstract would outweigh the disadvantages of the concrete . But one can never reckon with real , bred-in-the-bone old-maidism . One morning Mr. Malcolm MacPherson told us all that he was coming up that evening to make Aunt Olivia set the day . Peggy and I laughingly approved , telling him that it was high time for him to assert his authority , and he went off in great good humour across the river field , whistling a Highland strathspey . But Aunt Olivia looked like a martyr . She had a fierce attack of housecleaning that day , and put everything in flawless order , even to the corners . `` As if there was going to be a funeral in the house , '' sniffed Peggy . Peggy and I were up in the south-west room at dusk that evening , piecing a quilt , when we heard Mr. Malcolm MacPherson shouting out in the hall below to know if anyone was home . I ran out to the landing , but as I did so Aunt Olivia came out of her room , brushed past me , and flitted downstairs . `` Mr. MacPherson , '' I heard her say with double-distilled primness , `` will you please come into the parlour ? I have something to say to you . '' They went in , and I returned to the south-west room . `` Peg , there 's trouble brewing , '' I said . `` I 'm sure of it by Aunt Olivia 's face , it was GRAY . And she has gone down ALONE -- and shut the door . '' `` I am going to hear what she says to him , '' said Peggy resolutely . `` It is her own fault -- she has spoiled us by always insisting that we should be present at their interviews . That poor man has had to do his courting under our very eyes . Come on , Mary . '' The south-west room was directly over the parlour and there was an open stovepipe-hole leading up therefrom .
Peggy removed the hat box that was on it , and we both deliberately and shamelessly crouched down and listened XXXXX all our might .
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