`` I am afraid , Elizabeth , '' said Dick preachily , `` that you read too many novels , and not the right kind , either . Some of these days I am going to ask you to promise me that you will read no more books except those your mother and I pick out for you . '' You do n't know how squelched I felt . And I knew I would have to promise , too , for Dick can make me do anything he likes . When we got to Owlwood I left Dick in the parlour and flew up to Aunt Tommy 's room . I found her all scrunched up on her bed in the dark with her face in the pillows . `` Aunt Tommy , Dick is down in the parlour and he wants to see you , '' I said . Did n't Aunt Tommy fly up , though ! `` Oh , Jill -- but I 'm not fit to be seen -- tell him I 'll be down in a few minutes . '' I knew Aunt Tommy wanted to fix her hair and dab rose-water on her eyes , so I trotted meekly down and told Dick . Then I flew out to Jacky and dragged him around to the glass door . It was all hung over with vines and a wee bit ajar so that we could see and hear everything that went on . Jacky said it was only sneaks that listened -- but he did n't say it until next day . At the time he listened just as hard as I did . I did n't care if it was mean . I just had to listen . I was perfectly wild to hear how a man would propose and how a girl would accept and it was too good a chance to lose . Presently in sweeps Aunt Tommy , in an elegant dress , not a hair out of place . She looked perfectly sweet , only her nose was a little red . Dick looked at her for just a moment , then he stepped forward and took her right into his arms .
Aunt Tommy drew back her head XXXXX just a second as if she were going to crush him in the dust , and then she just all kind of crumpled up and her face went down on his shoulder .
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