Mr. Brewster doesn't want to get married, but the whole county knows that Cousin Pearl had her heart set for him. Jed comes up with a plan for her to save face by having Mr. Brewster propose in public and then have her turn him down. Jed didn't count on Mr. Brewster's background in the theater and him making a huge production out of it. Mr. Brewster does such a convincing job that Pearl, after repeatedly saying no, then says yes.