She had said no that night just as coolly and decidedly and unsentimentally as she said it fifteen years before . Jerome had the sensation of going around in a circle and never getting any further on . He made up his mind that something must be done , and just as he got to the brook that divides Deep Meadows West from Deep Meadows Central an idea struck him ; it was a good idea and amused him . He laughed aloud and slapped his thigh , much to the amusement of two boys who were sitting unnoticed on the railing of the bridge . `` There 's old Jerome going home from seeing Anne Stockard , '' said one . `` Wonder what on earth he 's laughing at . Seems to me if I could n't get a wife without hoeing a fifteen-year row , I 'd give up trying . '' But , then , the speaker was a Hamilton , and the Hamiltons never had any perseverance . Jerome , although a well-to-do man , owning a good farm , had , so to speak , no home of his own . The old Irving homestead belonged to his older brother , who had a wife and family . Jerome lived with them and was so used to it he did n't mind . At forty a lover must not waste time . Jerome thought out the details that night , and next day he opened the campaign . But it was not until the evening after that that Anne Stockard heard the news . It was her niece , Octavia , who told her . The latter had been having a chat up the lane with Sam Mitchell , and came in with a broad smile on her round , rosy face and a twinkle in her eyes . `` I guess you 've lost your beau this time , Aunt Anne . It looks as if he meant to take you at your word at last . '' `` What on earth do you mean ? '' asked Anne , a little sharply .
She was XXXXX the pantry counting eggs , and Octavia 's interruption made her lose her count .
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