For three weeks he had been living in comfort . His wants were carefully attended to ; his meals were well cooked and served , and everything was bright and clean . And more than all , Josephine had been there , with her cheerful smile and companionable ways . Well , it was all ended now . Josephine sat at the breakfast table long after David had gone out . She scowled at the sugar-bowl and shook her head savagely at the tea-pot . `` I 'll have to do it , '' she said at last . `` I 'm so sorry for him that I ca n't do anything else . '' She got up and went to the window , looking across the snowy field to her own home , nestled between the grove of firs and the orchard . `` It 's awful snug and comfortable , '' she said regretfully , `` and I 've always felt set on being free and independent . But it 's no use . I 'd never have a minute 's peace of mind again , thinking of David living here in dirt and disorder , and him so particular and tidy by nature . No , it 's my duty , plain and clear , to come here and make things pleasant for him -- the pointing of Providence , as you might say . The worst of it is , I 'll have to tell him so myself . He 'll never dare to mention the subject again , after what I said to him that night he proposed last . I wish I had n't been so dreadful emphatic . Now I 've got to say it myself if it is ever said . But I 'll not begin by quoting poetry , that 's one thing sure ! '' Josephine threw back her head , crowned with its shining braids of jet-black hair , and laughed heartily . She bustled back to the stove and poked up the fire .
`` I 'll have a bit of corned beef and cabbage for dinner , '' she said , `` and I 'll make David that pudding he 's so fond XXXXX .
across at between for if in of on that with