“He was,” returned Philip, calmly. “I saw him go upstairs as we came in the dining-room.”
“Did he see us?”
“Sure! He grinned at me and I grinned at him. I didn’t invite him to come with us,—so being a polite gentleman, he didn’t come. He doesn’t mind our eating up his food. He’s awful hospitable, Jim is.”
“Well, I’ve had enough of his food, and now I’m going back to my downy couch. If I don’t see you to-morrow before you leave,—good-bye, Philip.”
“That’s a nice, casual way to say good-bye to a man who has just proposed to you!”
“Good gracious! Was that a proposal?”
“Well, rather! What did you think it was? A sermon, or just a bit of oratory?”
“Do you know, Philip, truly I didn’t realise it at the time,” and Patty’s smile was very provoking, as she looked up into his face.
“Would your answer have been different if you had?” he asked, eagerly.
“Oh, no, not that! But I just want you to understand that I don’t consider it a real proposal,” and Patty laughed and ran away, leaving Philip to “clear up” the pantry.