"I don't know, I did not ask her."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, I think I was too scared."
"Of what?"
"That she might say 'no.'"
My mother gave a little laugh.
"I don't think you need have been afraid, my boy."
"But mother dear, she seemed so pleased to hear that I was engaged; of course she misunderstood me."
"Tell me about it."
I related what had happened, for every word was engraved upon my memory, and when I had finished I said: