`` The trouble with Dick is this , '' said Jill . `` There is nobody else coming to see Aunt Tommy and he thinks he is sure of her . If you could tell him something different it would stir him up . '' `` Are you sure it would ? '' I asked . `` It always does in novels , '' said Jill . And that settled it , of course . Jill and I fixed up what I was to say and Jill made me say it over and over again to be sure I had it right . I told her -- sarcastically -- that she 'd better say it herself and then it would be done properly . Jill said she would if it were Aunt Tommy , but when it was Dick it was better for a man to do it . So of course I agreed . I did n't know when I would have a chance to stir Dick up , but Providence -- so Jill said -- favoured us . Aunt Tommy did n't expect Dick down the next night , so she and Father and Mother all went away somewhere . Dick came after all , and Jill sent me into the parlour to tell him . He was standing before the mantel looking at Aunt Tommy 's picture . There was such an adoring look in his eyes . I could see it quite plain in the mirror before him . I practised that look a lot before my own glass after that -- because I thought it might come in handy some time , you know -- but I guess I could n't have got it just right because when I tried it on Jill she asked me if I had a pain . `` Well , Jack , old man , '' said Dick , sitting down on the sofa . I sat down before him .
`` Aunt Tommy is out , '' I said , XXXXX get the worst over .
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