I did, the thought towered
up like the effreet let out of the bottle--that story you loved when you
were small. But my only fear and dread is that you've always been
accustomed to think of me as so much older than you are. If you once get
an idea into your head about a person's age, you can't get it out again.
At least, I can't; so I'm afraid you'll regard me as quite out of the
question for a husband. If that's so, I'll begin over again."

Her eyes were round and her mouth a little open. She did not blink when
the lightning flashed.

"But--but--" she said.

"If I'm not too old, there are no 'buts' left," he declared firmly. "Ten
years is no great matter after all, and from the point of view of
brains, I'm an infant beside you. Then say 'yes,' my darling--say 'yes'
to me."

"I wonder--I wonder, Ray?"

"Haven't you ever guessed what I felt?"

"Yes, in a vague way. At least I knew there was something growing up
between us."

"It was love, my beautiful dear."

She smiled at him doubtfully. The colour had come back to her face, but
she did not respond when he lifted his arms to her.

"Are you sure--can you be sure, Ray? It's so different,--so shattering.
It seems to smash up all the past into little bits and begin the world
all over again--for you and me. It's such a near thing. I've seen the
married people and wondered about it. You might get so weary of always
having me so close."

"I want you close--closer and closer. I want you as the best part of
myself--to make me happier first and, because happier, more useful in
the world. I want you at the helm of my life--to steer me, Chicky. What
couldn't we do together! It's selfish--? it's one-sided, I know that. I
get everything--you only get me. But I'll try and rise to the occasion.
I worship you, and no woman ever had a more devout worshipper. I feel
that your father wouldn't be very mad with me. But it's for you to
decide, nothing else matters either way."

"I love to think you care for me so much," she said. "And I care for
you, Ray, and have cared for you--more than either of us know. Yes, I
have. Sally Groves knew somehow. I should like to say 'yes' this moment;
but I can't. I know I shall say it presently; but I'm not going to say
it till I've thought a great many thoughts and looked into the future
and considered all this means--for you as well as for me. It's life or
death really, for both of us, and the more certain sure we are before,
the happier we