`` That match is as good as made , '' she thought triumphantly as she picked up chips to start the tea fire . `` If Judith suspects that Eben is here she is quite likely to stay in her room and refuse to come down . But if she does I 'll march him upstairs to her door and make him ask her through the keyhole . You ca n't stump Theodora Whitney . '' Alas ! Ten minutes later Potter returned with the unwelcome news that Eben was away from home . `` He went to Wexbridge about half an hour ago , his ma said . She said she 'd tell him to come right over as soon as he kem home . '' Mrs. Theodora had to content herself with this , but she felt troubled . She knew Mrs. Tony Mack 's capabilities for spreading news . What if Bruce Marshall should hear it before Eben ? That evening Jacob Plowden 's store at Wexbridge was full of men , sitting about on kegs and counters or huddling around the stove , for the March air had grown sharp as the sun lowered in the creamy sky over the Ramble Valley hills . Eben King had a keg in the corner . He was in no hurry to go home for he loved gossip dearly and the Wexbridge stores abounded with it . He had exhausted the news of Peter Stanley 's store across the bridge and now he meant to hear what was saying at Plowden 's . Bruce Marshall was there , too , buying groceries and being waited on by Nora Plowden , who was by no means averse to the service , although as a rule her father 's customers received scanty tolerance at her hands . `` What are the Valley roads like , Marshall ? '' asked a Wexbridge man , between two squirts of tobacco juice . `` Bad , '' said Bruce briefly . `` Another warm day will finish the sleighing . ''
`` Are they crossing XXXXX Malley 's Creek yet ? ''
around as at before in like over through to with