"What makes you think I am promised to Absalom?"
"The fact is, I've only his word for it."
"He told you that?"
"Certainly. Isn't it true?"
"Do YOU think so poorly of me?" Tillie asked in a low voice.
He looked at her quickly. "Tillie, I'm sorry; I ought not to have believed it for an instant!"
"I have a higher ambition in life than to settle down to take care of Absalom Puntz!" said Tillie, fire in her soft eyes, and an unwonted vibration in her gentle voice.
"My credulity was an insult to you!"
"Absalom did not mean to tell you a lie. He has made up his mind to have me, so he thinks it is all as good as settled. Sometimes I am almost afraid he will win me just by thinking he is going to."
"Send him about his business! Don't keep up this folly, dear child!"