ONLY A COMMON FELLOW On my dearie 's wedding morning I wakened early and went to her room . Long and long ago she had made me promise that I would be the one to wake her on the morning of her wedding day . `` You were the first to take me in your arms when I came into the world , Aunt Rachel , '' she had said , `` and I want you to be the first to greet me on that wonderful day . '' But that was long ago , and now my heart foreboded that there would be no need of wakening her . And there was not . She was lying there awake , very quiet , with her hand under her cheek , and her big blue eyes fixed on the window , through which a pale , dull light was creeping in -- a joyless light it was , and enough to make a body shiver . I felt more like weeping than rejoicing , and my heart took to aching when I saw her there so white and patient , more like a girl who was waiting for a winding-sheet than for a bridal veil . But she smiled brave-like , when I sat down on her bed and took her hand . `` You look as if you have n't slept all night , dearie , '' I said . `` I did n't -- not a great deal , '' she answered me . `` But the night did n't seem long ; no , it seemed too short . I was thinking of a great many things . What time is it , Aunt Rachel ? '' `` Five o'clock . '' `` Then in six hours more -- '' She suddenly sat up in her bed , her great , thick rope of brown hair falling over her white shoulders , and flung her arms about me , and burst into tears on my old breast . I petted and soothed her , and said not a word ; and , after a while , she stopped crying ; but she still sat with her head so that I could n't see her face . `` We did n't think it would be like this once , did we , Aunt Rachel ? '' she said , very softly . `` It should n't be like this , now , '' I said . I had to say it .
I never could hide the thought of that marriage , and I could n't pretend XXXXX .
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