`` When are you to be married ? '' demanded that terrible Jerry . `` As soon as possible , '' said Miss Ponsonby . `` Stephen was going away next week , but he says he will wait until I can get ready . '' `` Do you think your father will object this time ? '' I queried . `` No , I do n't think so . Stephen is a rich man now , you know . That would n't make any difference with me -- but Father is very -- practical . Stephen is going to see him tomorrow . '' `` But what if he does object ? '' I persisted anxiously . `` The acacia tree will still be there , '' said Miss Ponsonby firmly . The Falsoms ' Christmas Dinner `` Well , so it 's all settled , '' said Stephen Falsom . `` Yes , '' assented Alexina . `` Yes , it is , '' she repeated , as if somebody had questioned it . Then Alexina sighed . Whatever `` it '' was , the fact of its being settled did not seem to bring Alexina any great peace of mind -- nor Stephen either , judging from his face , which wore a sort of `` suffer and be strong '' expression just then . `` When do you go ? '' said Alexina , after a pause , during which she had frowned out of the window and across the Tracy yard .
Josephine Tracy and her brother Duncan were strolling about the XXXXX in the pleasant December sunshine , arm in arm , laughing and talking .
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