The meal was not a success from a social point of view . Josephine was nervous and David glum . Mary Bell gobbled down her food with her usual haste , and then went away to carry Zillah hers . Then David said reluctantly : `` If you want to go home now , Josephine , I 'll hitch up Red Rob and drive you over . '' Josephine began to plait the tablecloth . She wished again that she had not been so emphatic on the occasion of his last proposal . Without replying to David 's suggestion she said crossly -LRB- Josephine always spoke crossly when she was especially in earnest -RRB- : `` I want to tell you what I think about Zillah . She 's getting better , but she 's had a terrible shaking up , and it 's my opinion that she wo n't be good for much all winter . She wo n't be able to do any hard work , that 's certain . If you want my advice , I tell you fair and square that I think she 'd better go off for a visit as soon as she 's fit . She thinks so herself . Clementine wants her to go and stay a spell with her in town . ` Twould be just the thing for her . '' `` She can go if she wants to , of course , '' said David dully . `` I can get along by myself for a spell . '' `` There 's no need of your getting along by yourself , '' said Josephine , more crossly than ever . `` I 'll -- I 'll come here and keep house for you if you like . '' David looked at her uncomprehendingly . `` Would n't people kind of gossip ? '' he asked hesitatingly .
`` Not but what -- '' `` I do n't see what they 'd have XXXXX gossip about , '' broke in Josephine , `` if we were -- married . ''
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