On the following morning young Mr. Ware anticipated events by inscribing
in his diary for the day, immediately after breakfast, these remarks:
"Arranged about piano. Began work upon book."

The date indeed deserved to be distinguished from its fellows. Theron
was so conscious of its importance that he not only prophesied in the
little morocco-bound diary which Alice had given him for Christmas, but
returned after he had got out upon the front steps of the parsonage to
have his hat brushed afresh by her.

"Wonders will never cease," she said jocosely. "With you getting
particular about your clothes, there isn't anything in this wide world
that can't happen now!"

"One doesn't go out to bring home a piano every day," he made answer.
"Besides, I want to make such an impression upon the man that he will
deal gently with that first cash payment down. Do you know," he added,
watching her turn the felt brim under the wisp-broom's strokes, "I'm
thinking some of getting me a regular silk stove-pipe hat."

"Why don't you, then?" she rejoined, but without any ring of glad
acquiescence in her tone. He fancied that her face lengthened a little,
and he instantly ascribed it to recollections of the way in which the
roses had been bullied out of her own headgear.

"You are quite sure, now, pet," he made haste to change the subject,
"that the hired girl can wait just as well as not until fall?"

"Oh, MY, yes!" Alice replied, putting the hat on his head, and smoothing
back his hair behind his ears. "She'd only be in the way now. You see,