"I am mighty glad you said that," he offered. "I was afraid you might have to leave. That's why I wanted you to pass."
"And that's why I wanted to pass, too," she said.
Now that the coast was clear they resumed their confessions. At times they sat in silence, holding hands.
As the time approached when they ought to start back, they were reminded to make more definite plans. He would take her to Merrill, leave the horse and buggy there, and come home to Thornton on the night train. On the following day he would come down with one of his own horses to get the buggy and she could ride up "home" with him and catch the early train back.
"I want you to come up right away and look over the house and get acquainted with the neighborhood."
"Are we going to have nice neighbors?" she asked.
"First-class. A mighty fine lot of folks. They 'll all put themselves out to accommodate you. I think you 'll like them."
"Oh, I know I shall," she answered.
"And I 'll have something I want to give you, too. And we can talk things over and make up our minds about the date. I don't see any use in waiting a long time, do you?"
"Well—no; not too long. But of course there are quite a number of things that need to be done first."