"Yes," he said, after a moment. "Yes . . . but—I don't know as I know exactly what you mean, do I?"
"You don't—yet. But I hope you will be glad when you do. Jed, you like Major Grover, don't you?"
Jed did not move perceptibly, but she heard his chair creak. He was still leaning forward and she knew his gaze was fixed upon her face.
"Yes," he said very slowly. "I like him first-rate."
"I'm glad. Because—well, because I have come to like him so much. Jed, he—he has asked me to be his wife."
There was absolute stillness in the little room. Then, after what seemed to her several long minutes, he spoke.
"Yes . . . yes, I see . . ." he said. "And you? You've . . ."
"At first I could not answer him. My brother's secret was in the way and I could not tell him that. But last night—or this morning—Charlie and I discussed all our affairs and he gave me permission to tell—Leonard. So when he came to-day I told him. He said it made no difference. And—and I am going to marry him, Jed."
Jed's chair creaked again, but that was the only sound. Ruth waited until she felt that she could wait no longer. Then she stretched out a hand toward him in the dark.
"Oh, Jed," she cried, "aren't you going to say anything to me— anything at all?"