Austin grinned at her.
"'This is very pleasant,' as my mother says. I don't often hear my praises sung. Please proceed."
"I always spread the butter fairly thick," said Jockie gravely, "but your faults must be told."
"No, thanks, not to-day. I'm going to have my say now. This honourable, high-minded gentleman with intelligence and grit now proceeds to offer his hand and heart to the one who appreciates his noble qualities. Miss Jockie Borlace, will you do me the honour of accepting them?"
Jockie gave such a start that she nearly upset the boat. Then she said, a little reproachfully:
"What a humbug you are!"
Austin slipped in his oars, and, folding his arms, gazed at her with steady eyes.
"I'm in dead earnest."
Jockie went red and white with emotion which she could not conceal.
"But—but," she said, "we may like each other very much, but that's not enough to marry upon."