“Why mustn’t I? You did not say that once!”
“I say it now.”
He did not believe her. He thought her attitude mere coquetry. She must have known why he wanted to be alone with her, and she had come willingly enough.
“Will you marry me, Phyllis?” he repeated. “You know how I love you.”
“I can’t.”
“Then tell me why.”
She felt cornered.
“Will you promise me never to tell a soul if I do?”
He promised readily enough. He must know her objection before he could overrule it.
She drew her small figure up with an air of great importance.