One day when alone with Laura, Mr. Allen asked her suddenly:
"Has Mr. Goulden made any formal proposal yet?"
With rising color Laura answered:
"No."
"Why not? He seems very slow about it."
"I hardly know how you expect me to reply to such a question," said
Laura, a little haughtily.
"Is he as attentive as ever?"
"Yes, I suppose so, though he has not called quite so often of late."
"Humph!" ejaculated Mr. Allen meditatively, adding after a moment,
"Can't you make him speak out?"
"You certainly don't mean me to propose to him?" asked Laura, reddening.