"It isn't business, it's you," he went on bluntly. "I've tried to tell you before but you wouldn't let me."
"It's a heavenly evening for a proposal."
"Do you mean that?" he gasped.
"Why shouldn't I? The moon is just coming up and the river is quiet and we can hear the rapids, and here you are at my feet. What more could a girl ask?"
Something twitched at Belding's fancy. "Then I love you and I want you desperately and I'll take care of you all my life. Is there any one else?"
His voice sobered her. "Don't, you mustn't say it like that, it sounds too real."
"But it is real," he protested, "the most real thing I ever said."
"You mustn't," she answered a little shakily. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone on like that."
Belding captured her hand. "I'm glad you did, Elsie, it was just right."
"But I didn't mean it," she said pitifully, "and it wasn't fair of me.
I didn't know you felt like that."