Are you glad to see me , Nillie ? '' `` Oh , of course , '' said Aunt Olivia . She twisted herself free and went to set up the table . Then she turned to the flowers , but Mr. Malcolm MacPherson had already gathered them up , leaving a goodly sprinkling of leaves and stalks on the carpet . `` I picked these for you in the river field , Nillie , '' he said . `` Where will I be getting something to stick them in ? Here , this will do . '' He grasped a frail , painted vase on the mantel , stuffed the flowers in it , and set it on the table . The look on Aunt Olivia 's face was too much for me at last . I turned , caught Peggy by the shoulder and dragged her out of the house . `` He will horrify the very soul out of Aunt Olivia 's body if he goes on like this , '' I gasped . `` But he 's splendid -- and he thinks the world of her -- and , oh , Peggy , did you EVER hear such kisses ? Fancy Aunt Olivia ! '' It did not take us long to get well acquainted with Mr. Malcolm MacPherson . He almost haunted Aunt Olivia 's house , and Aunt Olivia insisted on our staying with her most of the time . She seemed to be very shy of finding herself alone with him . He horrified her a dozen times in an hour ; nevertheless , she was very proud of him , and liked to be teased about him , too . She was delighted that we admired him . `` Though , to be sure , he is very different in his looks from what he used to be , '' she said . `` He is so dreadfully big !
And I do not like a beard , but I have not the courage XXXXX ask him to shave it off .
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