She understood from Cromwell 's unaltered manner that Lucy Ellen had not told him why she had refused him . She felt a sudden admiration for her cousin . When they reached the house Cromwell halted suddenly in the banner of light that streamed from the sitting-room window . They saw Lucy Ellen sitting alone before the fire , her arms folded on the table , and her head bowed on them . Her white cat sat unnoticed at the table beside her . Cecily gave a gasp of surrender . `` You 'd better come in , '' she said , harshly . `` Lucy Ellen looks lonesome . '' Cromwell muttered sheepishly , `` I 'm afraid I would n't be company for her . Lucy Ellen does n't like me much -- '' `` Oh , does n't she ! '' said Cecily , bitterly . `` She likes you better than she likes me for all I 've -- but it 's no matter . It 's been all my fault -- she 'll explain . Tell her I said she could . Come in , I say . '' She caught the still reluctant Cromwell by the arm and fairly dragged him over the geranium beds and through the front door . She opened the sitting-room door and pushed him in . Lucy Ellen rose in amazement . Over Cromwell 's bald head loomed Cecily 's dark face , tragic and determined . `` Here 's your beau , Lucy Ellen , '' she said , `` and I give you back your promise . ''
She shut the door upon the sudden illumination XXXXX Lucy Ellen 's face and went up-stairs with the tears rolling down her cheeks .
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