But , no , Josiah would not stay . He was thankful to make his escape with such rags of self-respect as remained to him . Pa Sloane arose and came around to Ma 's chair . He laid a trembling hand on her shoulder . `` Ma , you 're a good woman , '' he said softly . `` Go ` long , Pa , '' said Ma . X . The Courting of Prissy Strong I WAS N'T able to go to prayer meeting that evening because I had neuralgia in my face ; but Thomas went , and the minute he came home I knew by the twinkle in his eye that he had some news . `` Who do you s ` pose Stephen Clark went home with from meeting to-night ? '' he said , chuckling . `` Jane Miranda Blair , '' I said promptly . Stephen Clark 's wife had been dead for two years and he had n't taken much notice of anybody , so far as was known . But Carmody had Jane Miranda all ready for him , and really I do n't know why she did n't suit him , except for the reason that a man never does what he is expected to do when it comes to marrying . Thomas chuckled again . `` Wrong . He stepped up to Prissy Strong and walked off with her . Cold soup warmed over . '' `` Prissy Strong ! '' I just held up my hands . Then I laughed .
`` He need n't try XXXXX Prissy , '' I said .
Clark Josiah Thomas as for of on to with years