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 , to get the worst over . `` I guess you like Aunt Tommy pretty well , do n't you , Mr. Richmond ? '' `` Yes , '' said Dick softly . `` So do other men , '' I said -- mysterious , as Jill had ordered me . Dick thumped one of the sofa pillows . `` Yes , I suppose so , '' he said . `` There 's a man in New York who just worships Aunt Tommy , '' I said . `` He writes her most every day and sends her books and music and elegant presents . I guess she 's pretty fond of him too . She keeps his photograph on her bedroom table and I 've seen her kissing it . '' I stopped there , not because I had said all I had to say , but because Dick 's face scared me -- honest , it did .
It had all gone white , like it does XXXXX the pulpit sometimes when he is tremendously in earnest , only ten times worse .
after at because before down if in like so to