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Show Page 178 I made no answer, yet I fear my eyes told the tale. "You are in love with the man," exclaimed Anne. I shook my head vehemently. "Nay, I am not." But my voice broke. "Ah ha!" said Anne triumphantly. "I knew it! And now the booby is courting that bubbleheaded Jane. I have a mind to oust him from my house the next time he dares set foot within it." "Be not harsh with John," I told her. "He gave me my chance. He asked for my hand, yet I refused him." "WHAT?' I cannot believe what you say, albeit you have done the same foolish thing before, have you not? "Whatever were you thinking of, Sarah? If you do indeed love him, you must marry him." "I cannot." "You have become a Bedlamite," groaned Anne. "You and Edward Howe." "I am not mad, Anne," I said, trying with no success to make my voice light and laughing. "Then why?" "I cannot say." I tried to tell Anne of the unexplained dread I felt whenever I thought of becoming John's wife. She flapped her hands at me. "And you say you're not mad!" she exclaimed. "Well, if you are not mad, you are indeed a fool." |
