"You're the first man who ever was so ungallant as to tell me he would be grateful to have me leave him."
"I'm the first who ever proposed to another girl in your presence. The circumstance is unusual," he flung back gayly.
"I didn't hear you propose. All you did was to announce it," she replied saucily.
"That's true too," admitted Kilmeny. "Well, I'm going to propose now if it isn't too late. You may stay if you like."
"Thanks, no." Joyce kissed her friend. "I hope you'll be very happy, dear. I ... I believe you will."
Moya choked on her words. "I know I shall, Joy."
Miss Seldon looked at Jack with an expression in which embarrassment and audacity were blended. "I've always rather liked your pauper," she confided aloud to Moya.
Her confidences had their limits. She omitted to mention what had just popped into her mind, that within the fortnight he had proposed to her too on the same spot.
Jack bowed with exaggerated deference when she shook hands with him. He was just now riding the seventh wave of happiness and felt friendly to the whole world.
"Thanks very much. You're a good scout, Joyce."