Jerome lived with them and was so used to it he did n't mind . At forty a lover must not waste time . Jerome thought out the details that night , and next day he opened the campaign . But it was not until the evening after that that Anne Stockard heard the news . It was her niece , Octavia , who told her . The latter had been having a chat up the lane with Sam Mitchell , and came in with a broad smile on her round , rosy face and a twinkle in her eyes . `` I guess you 've lost your beau this time , Aunt Anne . It looks as if he meant to take you at your word at last . '' `` What on earth do you mean ? '' asked Anne , a little sharply . She was in the pantry counting eggs , and Octavia 's interruption made her lose her count . `` Now I ca n't remember whether it was six or seven dozen I said last . I shall have to count them all over again . I wish , Octavia , that you could think of something besides beaus all the time . '' `` Well , but listen , '' persisted Octavia wickedly . `` Jerome Irving was at the social at the Cherry Valley parsonage last night , and he had Harriet Warren there -- took her there , and drove her home again . '' `` I do n't believe it , '' cried Anne , before she thought . She dropped an egg into the basket so abruptly that the shell broke . `` Oh , it 's true enough . Sam Mitchell told me ; he was there and saw him .
Sam says he looked quite beaming , and was dressed XXXXX kill , and followed Harriet around like her shadow .
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