Miss Sally threw him a puzzled glance . `` He had one -- Jean Merritt -- whom I disliked and who disliked me , '' she said crisply . `` I do n't want to talk of her -- she was the only woman I ever hated . I never met any of the other members of his family -- his home was in a distant part of the state . '' Willard stayed with Joyce so brief a time that Miss Sally viewed his departure with suspicion . This was not very lover-like conduct . `` I dare say he 's like all the rest -- when his aim is attained the prize loses its value , '' reflected Miss Sally pessimistically . `` Poor Joyce -- poor child ! But there -- there is n't a single inharmonious thing in his house -- that is one comfort . I 'm so thankful I did n't let Willard buy those brocade chairs he wanted . They would have given Joyce the nightmare . '' Meanwhile , Willard rushed down to the biological station and from there drove furiously to the station to catch the evening express . He did not return until three days later , when he appeared at Miss Sally 's , dusty and triumphant . `` Joyce is out , '' said Miss Sally . `` I 'm glad of it , '' said Willard recklessly . `` It 's you I want to see , Miss Sally . I have something to show you . I 've been all the way home to get it . '' From his pocketbook Willard drew something folded and creased and yellow that looked like a letter . He opened it carefully and , holding it in his fingers , looked over it at Miss Sally .
`` My grandmother 's maiden name was Jean Merritt , '' he XXXXX deliberately , `` and Stephen Merritt was my great-uncle .
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