But he had pleaded and persuaded her into accepting him that very night.

Even if he wished to back out, how could he--now?
He was conscious of an uneasy feeling that, perhaps, he had made a fool of himself.
He went to his room early in the evening and stayed there, looking at his watch and waiting for the rest of the family to retire.

He heard Georgie's voice in the room at the end of the hall, where Mrs.Barnes was tucking the youngster in for the night.

Later he heard Imogene come up the backstairs and, after her, Thankful herself.

But it was nearly eleven before Heman Daniels' important and dignified step sounded on the front stairs and by that time the Hammond nerves were as taut as banjo strings.
It was nearly twelve before he dared creep downstairs and out of the back door, the key of which he left in the lock.