He could not hold himself in. He could not carry away such a secret. Sophie went to the door with him; and he took her outside and whispered it to her.
The child stared at him, with awe in her eyes. “Samuel!” she whispered, “she must mean to marry you!”
The boy started in dismay. “Marry me!” he gasped. “Marry me!”
“Why, yes!” said Sophie. “What else can she mean?”
That was a poser. “But—but—” he cried. “It's absurd!”
“It's not, Samuel! She loves you!”
“But I'm nothing but a poor boy!”
“But, Samuel, she has plenty of money!”
It had not occurred to Samuel that way; but he had to admit that it was true. “But I'm not good enough,” he protested.
“You are good enough for anyone!” cried Sophie. “You are noble and beautiful—and she has found it out. And she means to stoop and lift you up to her.”