And looking down she replied: "You told me not to ask and I haven't?"
"Was it because you didn't want to know?"
"Mebby I was almost dyin' to know, but you told me not to ask."
"I didn't kill him because—"
"Not because you were afraid to try," she broke in.
"No. It was because they told me that—that you loved him."
"What!" she cried, blazing at him, "I love that—that skeer crow! Oh, how could they tell you such a thing; and if you believed it I am mad at you."
This greatly distressed him and he was quick to reply, "Oh, I didn't believe it much, you know."
"But you believed it strong enough not to—"
"Oh," he pleaded, "don't play me like a fish. Take the hook out of my mouth and don't make me flop. How did I know you didn't love him? Why, the prettiest girl I ever saw loved a—a scarecrow. And I wouldn't harm a scarecrow that you loved. I may be a scarecrow myself—I feel like one, and I know I must act like one, but I love you and I want you to be my wife."