"No, it is like learning to swim; the best way is to plunge at once. And at once will be in about twenty minutes, instead of twenty years."
"What do you mean?" she asked, standing still in unfeigned astonishment.
"I mean that your neighbor across the way has been invited to call at half past six this evening to marry me, and I supposed you were willing to be married at the same time."
"John Holmes!"
"Do you want to send me off again?"
"But I never thought of such a thing."
"It wasn't necessary; one brilliant mind is enough to plan. What did you ask me to come home for?"
"But not now—not immediately."
"Why not?" he asked, gravely.
"Because," she smiled at her woman's reason, "I'm not ready."