She did not answer. For a minute or so there was only to be heard the chirping of the cicadas in the trees outside, and the dry rustle of the wind among the oranges bushes.
'Darling,' I said, when I found my voice once more, 'if I take this money and work as hard as any man can, is it to be for nothing? Or may I toil day and night, knowing that there is a reward, greater than any money, saving up for me at the end? Sheilah, do you love me well enough to be my wife!'
This time she answered, without a falter in her voice, and as she did she took my great brown hand between hers and smoothed it.
'Jim, I have always loved you' she said, 'all my life long. I will gladly; nay, that doesn't seem to express it at all. Let me say only that I love you, and that I will be your wife whenever you come to claim me. Will that satisfy you, dear?'
I bent over and kissed her on her sweet, pure lips.
'God bless you, Sheilah,' I replied so softly that I scarcely knew my own voice.
Then we both sat silent again for some time. Sheilah it was who spoke first.
'Now, Jim, how are you going to begin?'
'I'm going to find your father, and tell him everything,' I said. 'He ought to know before anyone else.'