I do n't know what it was , but I know that when Mr. Leonard WAS roused to rebuke anyone the person so rebuked remembered it for a spell . All at once I knew she must have discovered about Stephen and Prissy , for Prissy stopped going to prayer meeting . I felt real worried about it , someway , and although Thomas said for goodness ' sake not to go poking my fingers into other people 's pies , I felt as if I ought to do something . Stephen Clark was a good man and Prissy would have a beautiful home ; and those two little boys of Althea 's needed a mother if ever boys did . Besides , I knew quite well that Prissy , in her secret soul , was hankering to be married . So was Emmeline , too -- but nobody wanted to help HER to a husband . The upshot of my meditations was that I asked Stephen down to dinner with us from church one day . I had heard a rumour that he was going to see Lizzie Pye over at Avonlea , and I knew it was time to be stirring , if anything were to be done . If it had been Jane Miranda I do n't know that I 'd have bothered ; but Lizzie Pye would n't have done for a stepmother for Althea 's boys at all . She was too bad-tempered , and as mean as second skimmings besides . Stephen came . He seemed dull and moody , and not much inclined to talk . After dinner I gave Thomas a hint . I said , `` You go to bed and have your nap . I want to talk to Stephen . '' Thomas shrugged his shoulders and went . He probably thought I was brewing up lots of trouble for myself , but he did n't say anything . As soon as he was out of the way I casually remarked to Stephen that I understood that he was going to take one of my neighbours away and that I could n't be sorry , though she was an excellent neighbour and I would miss her a great deal . `` You wo n't have to miss her much , I reckon , '' said Stephen grimly . `` I 've been told I 'm not wanted there . ''
I was surprised to hear Stephen come out so plump and plain about it , XXXXX I had n't expected to get at the root of the matter so easily .
After Besides If about as at for in of to