"Now d'ye know me?" he grinned.
Her face glowed.
"I knew you without that, Ernie," she answered, her voice deep and humming, as of old, like an inspired silver-top.
He surged towards her with wide arms amid the water-weeds.
She stretched out a strong hand to help him up.
He took it, and kissed the fine fingers.
In another moment he was standing at her side.
"O, Ernie!" she said, and passed her hand across her forehead. "Seems like you was sent."
He gathered her in his arms. Her eyes were closed; her face, wan now beneath the warm colouring, tilted back. He marked the perfect round, full and very large, of her sheathed pupils. Then in her ear he whispered,
"Ruth, will you marry me?"