`` I hope not , because , of course , I would consider it my duty in any case to fulfil the promise I have given to Mr. Malcolm MacPherson . He will be in Grafton next week , the guest of his sister , Mrs. John Seaman , across the bridge . '' Aunt Olivia said that exactly as if she were reading it from the personal column of the Daily Enterprise . `` When is the wedding to be ? '' I asked . `` Oh ! '' Aunt Olivia blushed distressfully . `` I do not know the exact date . Nothing can be definitely settled until Mr. Malcolm MacPherson comes . But it will not be before September , at the earliest . There will be so much to do . You will tell your father , wo n't you ? '' We promised that we would , and Aunt Olivia arose with an air of relief . Peggy and I hurried over home , stopping , when we were safely out of earshot , to laugh . The romances of the middle-aged may be to them as tender and sweet as those of youth , but they are apt to possess a good deal of humour for onlookers . Only youth can be sentimental without being mirth-provoking . We loved Aunt Olivia and were glad for her late , new-blossoming happiness ; but we felt amused over it also . The recollection of her `` Mr. Malcolm MacPherson '' was too much for us every time we thought of it . Father pooh-poohed incredulously at first , and , when we had convinced him , guffawed with laughter . Aunt Olivia need not have dreaded any more opposition from her cruel family .
`` MacPherson was a good fellow enough , but horribly poor , '' XXXXX father .
arose blushed consider convinced guffawed hurried loved said tell thought