Peggy and I watched her as she went downstairs , her skirt held stiffly up all around her that it might not brush the floor . '' ` Mr. Malcolm MacPherson ' will be inspired with such awe that he will only be able to sit back and gaze at her , '' whispered Peggy . `` I wish he would come and have it over . This is getting on my nerves . '' Aunt Olivia went into the parlour , settled herself in the old carved chair , and folded her hands . Peggy and I sat down on the stairs to await his coming in a crisping suspense . Aunt Olivia 's kitten , a fat , bewhiskered creature , looking as if it were cut out of black velvet , shared our vigil and purred in maddening peace of mind . We could see the garden path and gate through the hall window , and therefore supposed we should have full warning of the approach of Mr. Malcolm MacPherson . It was no wonder , therefore , that we positively jumped when a thunderous knock crashed against the front door and re-echoed through the house . Had Mr. Malcolm MacPherson dropped from the skies ? We afterwards discovered that he had come across lots and around the house from the back , but just then his sudden advent was almost uncanny . I ran downstairs and opened the door . On the step stood a man about six feet two in height , and proportionately broad and sinewy . He had splendid shoulders , a great crop of curly black hair , big , twinkling blue eyes , and a tremendous crinkly black beard that fell over his breast in shining waves . In brief , Mr. Malcolm MacPherson was what one would call instinctively , if somewhat tritely , `` a magnificent specimen of manhood . '' In one hand he carried a bunch of early goldenrod and smoke-blue asters . `` Good afternoon , '' he said in a resonant voice which seemed to take possession of the drowsy summer afternoon . `` Is Miss Olivia Sterling in ? And will you please tell her that Malcolm MacPherson is here ? '' I showed him into the parlour .
Then Peggy and I peeped XXXXX the crack of the door .
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