“Why, how do you know?”—Charlie spoke with a look of surprise and stopped short.
The girl laughed in a low tone, but did not reply, and the youth, becoming still more desperate, said—
“But I—I didn’t mean Dan and Sarah, when I—Oh, Sally, don’t you know that I love you?”
“Yes, I know that,” replied the girl, with a blush and a little tremulous smile. “I couldn’t help knowing that.”
“Have I made it so plain, then?” he asked, in surprise.
“Haven’t you followed me ever since you were a staggerer?” asked Sally, with a simple look.
“O yes, of course—but—but I love you far far more now. In short, I want to marry you, Sally.”
He had reached the culminating point at last. “Well, Charlie, why don’t you ask father’s leave?” said the maiden.
“And you agree?” he exclaimed, timidly taking her hand.
“Oh, Charlie,” returned Sally, looking up in his face, with an arch smile, “how stupid you are! Nothing goes into your dear head without such a deal of hammering. Will you never become wise, and—”