Connie used to say that it was delicious and gave me a piquant uniqueness -- a certain unlikeness to other people that possessed a positive charm . That is only Connie 's view of it , however . But I had had my own way about this dress and it is really very becoming . I wore a little silvery-grey chip hat , trimmed with pale pink flowers , and I pinned at my belt the sweetest cluster of old-fashioned blush rosebuds from the garden . Then I borrowed a hymn book from Mrs. Blake and ran down to undergo Aunt Martha 's scrutiny . `` Dear me , child , '' she said discontentedly , `` you have gotten yourself up very frivolously , it seems to me . '' `` Why , Aunty , '' I protested , `` I 'm all in grey -- every bit . '' Aunt Martha sniffed . You do n't know how much Aunt can express in a sniff . But I tripped to church like a bird . The first person I saw there was Mr. Shelmardine . He was sitting right across from me and a smile glimmered in his eyes . I did not look at him again . Through the service I was subdued enough to have satisfied even Aunt Martha . When church came out , he waited for me at the entrance to his pew . I pretended not to see him until he said `` Good morning , '' in a voice vibrating and deep , which sounded as though it might become infinitely tender if its owner chose . When we went down the steps he took my hymnal , and we walked up the long , bowery country road . `` Thank you so much for coming today , '' he said -- as if I went to oblige him . `` I had a hard time to get Aunt Martha 's consent , '' I declared frankly . `` I would n't have succeeded if Mrs. Saxby had n't taken my part . ''
`` Heaven bless Mrs. XXXXX , '' he remarked fervently .
Aunty Martha Saxby Shelmardine bowery first hymnal pew right unlikeness