It was very brief , and the writing was that of a man who holds a pen but seldom . `` My dear little girl , '' it ran , `` I 'm sorry I ca n't go to your wedding . It was like you to ask me -- for I know it was your doing . I wish I could see you married , but I ca n't go to the house I was turned out of . I hope you will be very happy . I am sending you the shells and teapot you liked so much . Do you remember that day we had such a good time ? I would liked to have seen you again before you were married , but it ca n't be . `` Your loving father , `` DAVID SPENCER . '' Rachel resolutely blinked away the tears that filled her eyes . A fierce desire for her father sprang up in her heart -- an insistent hunger that would not be denied . She MUST see her father ; she MUST have his blessing on her new life . A sudden determination took possession of her whole being -- a determination to sweep aside all conventionalities and objections as if they had not been . It was now almost dark . The guests would not be coming for half an hour yet . It was only fifteen minutes ' walk over the hill to the Cove . Hastily Rachel shrouded herself in her new raincoat , and drew a dark , protecting hood over her gay head . She opened the door and slipped noiselessly downstairs . Mrs. Spencer and her assistants were all busy in the back part of the house . In a moment Rachel was out in the dewy garden .
She would go straight XXXXX the fields .
before conventionalities for in like of on over raincoat to