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Chronicles of Avonlea | Lucy Maud Montgomery | |
VII. Aunt Olivia's Beau |
Page 6 of 10 |
"Now don't be worrying yourself over that, Nillie," he protested. "Why, I don't mind a litter, bless you!" How good and jolly he was, that Mr. Malcolm MacPherson! Such songs as he sang, such stories as he told, such a breezy, unconventional atmosphere as he brought into that prim little house, where stagnant dullness had reigned for years! He worshipped Aunt Olivia, and his worship took the concrete form of presents galore. He brought her a present almost every visit-- generally some article of jewelry. Bracelets, rings, chains, ear-drops, lockets, bangles, were showered upon our precise little aunt; she accepted them deprecatingly, but never wore them. This hurt him a little, but she assured him she would wear them all sometimes. "I am not used to jewelry, Mr. MacPherson," she would tell him. Her engagement ring she did wear--it was a rather "loud" combination of engraved gold and opals. Sometimes we caught her turning it on her finger with a very troubled face. "I would be sorry for Mr. Malcolm MacPherson if he were not so much in love with her," said Peggy. "But as he thinks that she is perfection he doesn't need sympathy." "I am sorry for Aunt Olivia," I said. "Yes, Peggy, I am. Mr. MacPherson is a splendid man, but Aunt Olivia is a born old maid, and it is outraging her very nature to be anything else. Don't you see how it's hurting her? His big, splendid man-ways are harrowing her very soul up--she can't get out of her little, narrow groove, and it is killing her to be pulled out." "Nonsense!" said Peggy. Then she added with a laugh, "Mary, did you ever see anything so funny as Aunt Olivia sitting on 'Mr. Malcolm MacPherson's' knee?" |
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Chronicles of Avonlea Lucy Maud Montgomery |
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