She caught her breath in a sob. Jed instinctively stretched out his hand.
"But there," she went on, hurriedly wiping her eyes, "I mustn't do this. This is no time for me to think of myself. Jed, this mustn't go any further. He must not ask her to marry him; he must not think of such a thing."
Jed sadly shook his head. "I'm afraid you're right," he said. "Not as things are now he surely mustn't. But—but, Mrs. Ruth—"
"Oh, don't!" impatiently. "Don't use that silly 'Mrs.' any longer. Aren't you the—the best friend I have in the world? Do call me Ruth."
If she had been looking at his face just then she might have seen— things. But she was not looking. There was an interval of silence before he spoke.
"Well, then—er—Ruth—" he faltered.
"That's right. Go on."
"I was just goin' to ask you if you thought Charlie was cal'latin' to ask her. I ain't so sure that he is."
He told of Charles' recent visit to the windmill shop and the young man's query concerning the making of a decision. She listened anxiously.
"But don't you think that means that he was wondering whether or not he should ask her?" she said.