am, 28. True Love

Alphy had no doubt Margurita was the right woman for him. In late spring, when the wild roses and the daisies were in full bloom, Alphy decided he would ask Margurita to be his wife. Alphy was

very direct, when he ‘popped the question’. “Do you want to marry me?” he asked Margurita.

She didn’t hesitate. The answer was yes. The only thing to do now, thought Alphy, was to get consent from Margurita’s parents. He felt that Emmanuel wouldn’t object, but he was not sure about Evangeline. Alphy thought he would ask Emmanuel first.

Emmanuel knew what Alphy was up to, from the time he had arrived at the house with the partridge. He knew it would only be a matterof time before Alphy would ask for his daughter.

Alphy and Emmanuel were outside chatting when Emmanuel noticed that Alphy seemed a bit nervous. Then Alphy blurted out that he wanted to marry Margurita and asked if he could have her hand in marriage. Emmanuel, sensing Alphy’s tension, tried to lighten things up.

He responded, “Sure. When can you take her?”

Alphy felt a wave of relief. That had been easier than he had expected. Then Emmanuel said, “Let’s go tell the wife.” They stepped inside the house.

Evangeline was busy sewing when Alphy and Emmanuel came in. Alphy wasn’t sure how to approach Evangeline with the question. He looked at Emmanuel, but he, too, was silent. Standing at a safe distance by the door, Alphy blurted out that he wanted to marry Margurita.

Evangeline stopped sewing. She looked at Alphy and said, “Margurita is too young to get married.” Alphy’s heart dropped.

Emmanuel reached for his pipe, put on his hat and returned

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