Oh ! Emily , it is all so sweet , so beautiful , that everything is possible , and I know I shall be happy in this dear old home , full of love and peace and honest hearts . I only hope you may find as true and tender a man to live for as my Saul . '' Sophie 's face was more eloquent than her fervent words , and Emily beautifully illustrated the inconsistency of her sex by suddenly embracing her friend , with the incoherent exclamation , `` I think I have , dear ! Your brave Saul is worth a dozen old Hammonds , and I do believe you are right . '' It is unnecessary to tell how , as if drawn by the irresistible magic of sympathy , Ruth and her mother crept in one by one to join the midnight conference and add their smiles and tears , tender hopes and proud delight to the joys of that memorable hour . Nor how Saul , unable to sleep , mounted guard below , and meeting Randal prowling down to soothe his nerves with a surreptitious cigar found it impossible to help confiding to his attentive ear the happiness that would break bounds and overflow in unusual eloquence . Peace fell upon the old house at last , and all slept as if some magic herb had touched their eyelids , bringing blissful dreams and a glad awakening . `` Ca n't we persuade you to come with us , Miss Sophie ? '' asked Randal next day , as they made their adieux . `` I 'm under orders now , and dare not disobey my superior officer , '' answered Sophie , handing her Major his driving gloves , with a look which plainly showed that she had joined the great army of devoted women who enlist for life and ask no pay but love . `` I shall depend on being invited to your wedding , then , and yours , too , Miss Ruth , '' added Randal , shaking hands with `` the little baggage , '' as if he had quite forgiven her mockery and forgotten his own brief lapse into sentiment . Before she could reply Aunt Plumy said , in a tone of calm conviction , that made them all laugh , and some of them look conscious , -- `` Spring is a good time for weddin 's , and I should n't wonder ef there was quite a number . '' `` Nor I ; '' and Saul and Sophie smiled at one another as they saw how carefully Randal arranged Emily 's wraps . Then with kisses , thanks and all the good wishes that happy hearts could imagine , the guests drove away , to remember long and gratefully that pleasant country Christmas . ON PICKET DUTY `` Better late than never . '' `` What air you thinkin ' of , Phil ? '' `` My wife , Dick . '' `` So was I ! Ai n't it odd how fellers fall to thinkin ' of thar little women , when they get a quiet spell like this ? ''
`` Fortunate for us that we do XXXXX it , and have such memories to keep us brave and honest through the trials and temptations of a life like ours . ''
asked brave dare embracing get saw showed sleep tell think