“I am afraid I am not of a very hilarious temperament.”
“Still, you manage to talk to others.”
“Have you cared very much who talked to you lately?”
Her cheek changed color in the starlight.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Anything or nothing.”
Ruth looked at him haughtily.
“If nothing,” he continued, observing her askance from lowered lids, “what I am about to say will be harmless. If anything, I still hope you will find it pardonable.”
“What are you about to say?”
“It won’t take long. Will you be my wife?”