"You darling!" fatuously. "Carlotta, will you marry me?"
It was out at last—the words she claimed she had brought him up the mountain to say—the words he had willed not to speak.
"Of course. Kiss me again, Phil. We'll wire Daddy tomorrow."
"Wire him what?" The mention of Carlotta's father brought Phil back to earth with a jolt.
"That we are engaged and that he is to find a suitable job for you so we can be married right away," chanted Carlotta happily.
Phil's rainbow vanished almost as soon as it had appeared in the heavens.
He drew a long breath.
"Carlotta, I didn't mean that. I can't be engaged to you that way. I meant—will you marry me when I can afford to have a fairy princess in my home?"
Carlotta stared at him, her rainbow, too, fading.
"You did?" she asked vaguely. "I thought—"
"I know," groaned Phil. "It was stupid of me—worse than stupid. It can't be helped now I suppose. The damage is done. Shall we take the next car down? It is getting late."