No doubt it was , and Anne was convinced of it . But she had to have her cry out -- on Jerome 's shoulder -- and it soothed her nerves wonderfully . Later on Octavia , slipping noiselessly up the steps in the dusk , saw a sight that transfixed her with astonishment . When she recovered herself she turned and fled wildly around the house , running bump into Sam Mitchell , who was coming across the yard from a twilight conference with the hired men . `` Goodness , Tavy , what 's the matter ? Y ' look ` sif y 'd seen a ghost . '' Octavia leaned up against the wall in spasms of mirth . `` Oh , Sam , '' she gasped , `` old Jerome Irving and Aunt Anne are sitting round there in the dark on the front porch and he had his arms around her , kissing her ! And they never saw nor heard me , no more 'n if they were deaf and blind ! '' Sam gave a tremendous whistle and then went off into a shout of laughter whose echoes reached even to the gloom of the front porch and the ears of the lovers . But they did not know he was laughing at them and would not have cared if they had . They were too happy for that . There was a wedding that fall and Anne Stockard was the bride . When she was safely his , Jerome confessed all and was graciously forgiven . `` But it was kind of mean to Harriet , '' said Anne rebukingly , `` to go with her and get her talked about and then drop her as you did . Do n't you think so yourself , Jerome ? '' Her husband 's eyes twinkled . `` Well , hardly that . You see , Harriet 's engaged to that Johnson fellow out west . ` Tai n't generally known , but I knew it and that 's why I picked on her .
I thought it probable XXXXX she 'd be willing enough to flirt with me for a little diversion , even if I was old .
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