“Yes, I knew that.”
“Why did you ask me, then?”
“Oh, Annie, Annie! When are you going to stop talking that way?”
Again the boat claimed all her attention. He leaned forward and dropped his voice.
“Don't you think I've waited most long enough, Annie?”
“Now, Dick, be sensible.”
“But haven't I been sensible? Not a word have I said for two months. And I told you then I would speak on your birthday.”
“So you really remembered my birthday?”
“Remembered it, Annie! What a girl you are! Do you know how long I've been waiting? And all the boys laughing? It's two years this month. It was on your birthday that I saw you first, you know. And it wasn't a month after that that I spoke to you. How could I help it? Who could have waited longer? And you, with your way of making me think you were really going to say yes, and then just laughing at me.”
“Now, Dick—if you don't stop and be sensible, I 'll take you straight inshore.”