Local custom dictated that a marriage proposal required an introducer—a matchmaker. It was best if this person held a high status, and the village chief's wife fit the bill perfectly. Phoebe Huxley prepared extravagant gifts and went to the Xavier family's home that morning. Grandpa Huxley and his wife were there, as were Kelley Xavier's two paternal uncles and their wives, along with other Xavier family elders. The house was packed with people.
Kelley Xavier's two uncles had already spoken with Shane Xavier, and of course, he had no objections. He was a man with little opinion of his own and was easily swayed; if his two older brothers said Howard Thorne was a good match, then he thought so too. His wife had tried to influence him with pillow talk, but this time, the Xavier family elders had also spoken up. Coupled with Grandpa Huxley's high prestige, Shane Xavier remained relatively firm, and his wife's attempt to turn him against the proposal was unsuccessful.
