"No," she said; "I was thinking other things. I was thinking that I ought to go down on my knees and thank you for breaking the leader. You see, I'd made up my mind to keep my word. And, well, of course, it's a great escape for me.
"Why? Was the prospect of marrying me so awful?"
"The prospect of marrying a man who would rather lose a five-pound fish than marry me—was awful."
Pritchard stopped rowing, and his laughter went abroad over the quiet lake until presently Gay's forehead smoothed and, after a prelude of dimples, she joined gayly in.
When Pritchard could speak, he said:
"You don't really think that, do you?"
"I don't know what I think," said Gay. "I'm just horrid and cross and spoiled. Don't let's talk about it any more."
"But I said," said he, "I said 'As a bet, no; but as a gift'—oh, with what rapture and delight!"
"Do you mean that?" She looked him in the face with level eyes.