"Well—I want to—— No. This is important. I can't wait. I'm in a hurry."

Bob shouted up again:

"Martha! Johnnie's in a hurry! It's something important. Come on down."

Johnnie heard her answer. Emily heard it. There was no misunderstanding it.

"I'm not coming down. I don't want to see him."

"I'm not going away till I see her."

"What's the matter?" asked Emily, annoyed by his persistence. He stood there as if he was planted deep in the rug.

"Look here, Mrs. Kenworthy, I want this announced. We're engaged. Maybe we ought to have told you before, but it's going to be announced right now."

"Who's engaged?" Bob exclaimed.

"Martha and I."