She did not choose to make a martyr of herself to romance , and surely the man did n't expect her to ask him to marry her . `` I 'm sure and certain he 's as fond of me as ever he was , '' she mused . `` I suppose he 's got some ridiculous notion about being too poor to aspire to me . Jed always had more pride than a Crane could carry . Well , I 've done all I can -- all I 'm going to do . If Jed 's determined to go , he must go , I s ` pose . '' Mattie would not let herself cry , although she felt like it . She went out and picked apples instead . Mattie might have remained so and Jedediah 's romance might never have reached a better ending , if it had not been for Selena , who came over just then to help Mattie pick the golden russets . Fate had evidently destined her as Jed 's best helper . All summer she had been fairly goading Mattie into love with Jedediah and now she was moved to add the last spur . `` Jed Crane 's going away , I hear , '' she said maliciously . `` Seems to me you 're bound to be jilted again , Mattie . '' Mattie had no answer ready . Selena went on undauntedly . `` You 've made a nice fool of yourself all summer , I vow . Throwing yourself at Jed 's head -- and he does n't want you , even with all your property . '' `` He does want me , '' said Mattie calmly . Her lips were very firm and her cheeks scarlet . `` He is not going away .
We are XXXXX be married about Christmas , and Jed will take charge of the farm for me . ''
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