She tapped her toe and smoothed the skirt of her simple brown morning dress. Mr. Quigley always insisted on staying at the coaching inn instead of at Hedgemere. He had sent a message that he would wait upon Lady Margaret at eleven o’clock. It was three minutes past, and he had not yet arrived. Meg was, as usual, unwilling to wait to get everything settled, arranged, done with. Ever since she and James had announced their intentions to the entire neighborhood at the Headleys’ dance, Meg had wanted everything to happen immediately. Unfortunately, others did not share her desire to rush through life pell-mell. Annis and Gerald—even James— had smiled tolerantly and proceeded to take their time. Meg found their attitude intolerable. She had loved setting her neighbors agog by announcing her own engagement, instead of asking some male to do it. Everyone had been staring by the time she finished. To do them credit, they had rallied quickly, and despite the fact that Mrs. Headley had raised such an uproar, they all congratulated the captain and wished Meg happiness with every evidence of sincerity.
