midnight
I want you to be my wife , but before I dare come and ask you to do me so great an honor I feel I must prove myself worthy , '' the letter said . Clara had driven into town alone on the day when she received it and later got into her buggy and drove south past the Butterworth farm into the hills . She forgot to go home to lunch or to the evening meal . The horse jogged slowly along , protesting and trying to turn back at every cross road , but she kept on and did not get home until midnight . When she reached the farmhouse her father was waiting . He went with her into the barnyard and helped unhitch the horse . Nothing was said , and after a moment 's conversation having nothing to do with the subject that occupied both their minds , she went upstairs and tried to think the matter out .