"No, it wasn't." He looked at the fire a moment, then at me. I had both hands on the back of my low sewing chair.
"Ruth, will you marry me? Could you love me well enough to be my wife?"
I do not think the question took me quite by surprise. Mrs. Hayne had made suggestions. Father had indulged in a few comments such as "that he meant to give Homer his walking papers—it was too soon for any fellows to be hanging round." But we had been such good friends, without a bit of sentiment, as if a girl of fifteen could understand what sentiment truly was!
"Oh, Homer!" My voice almost failed in the great tremble of every nerve. "Oh, what made you ask it?"
"Because I wanted to know. Surely, Ruth, you will tell me the truth, the whole truth. I've always been fond of you, and it seems as if Norme left you to us when he went away. You were only a little girl, and he has companied so much with high and mighty folks that I suppose he will be miles and miles above anybody here. But mother's heart is set upon you, and she's nagged me lately, as if she thought I wasn't—well, forward enough. We're all fond of you, you know. If you could—only I'm afraid—" hesitatingly, "that you don't love me. A girl always shows it a little. We seem just good friends—"
"Oh, that is all we are, Homer!" I cried, but my face was scarlet with blushes, and my heart gave a great throb of thankfulness. For I knew by some sure insight, girl that I was, that he had no best of all love to give me.
Then he reached over and took my hand.
"I think I could love you dearly, and oh, little Ruth, I'd carry you in my arms or let you walk over me, and spend my whole life thinking how I could make you happy. I'd work day and night that you should have the things you enjoyed. All that would be nothing if you did not love me."
"Yes, yes, you understand. And so let us keep friends. I think there is some one who could love you very dearly, who would be glad of your love, and you would be very happy. I think you are saved for that."
He turned scarlet first, then deadly pale. "Sophie," he murmured just under his breath.