she'd kind of succeeded. I suppose I ought to
have scratched her face for her. I think I would have--if she'd just
stayed a minute longer. Funny too, because I always used to think she
was so sweet."

Peter threw his arms wildly into the air and exploded.

"Sweet! Sweet! _That_ girl! Yes, if vinegar is. She'll tear your
reputation to shreds."

Beth had stopped smiling now and leaned against the wall, her chin
lowered.

"I reckon it serves me right. I hadn't any business to be comin'
here--not at night, anyway."

"Oh, Beth," he pleaded, catching her hands. "Why couldn't you have let
things be?"

She struggled a little. And then, "Let _her_ think I was _engaged_ to
you when I wasn't?" she gasped.

"But we are, Beth, dear. Say we are, won't you?"

"Not when we're not."

"Beth----!"

"You should have spoken sooner, if you'd really meant it. Oh, I know
what it is. I've always known there's a difference between us."

"No--not unless you make it."

"Yes. It was there before I was born. You were brought up in a different
kind of life in a different way of thinkin' from mine----"

"What has that got to do with it?"

"Everything. It's not my fault. And maybe I'm a little too proud. But
I'm straight----"

"Don't, Beth----" He put his arm around her but she disengaged herself
gently.

"No, let me finish. Maybe you wanted me. I guess you did. But not that
much--not enough to speak out--and you were too straight to lie to me.
I'm thankful for that----"

"But I _have_ spoken, Beth," he insisted, taking her by the elbows and
holding her so that he could look into her eyes. "I've asked you to--to
be my wife. I ask you now. Is that clear?"

Her eyes evaded him and she laughed uneasily.

"Yes, it's clear--and--and your reason for it----"

"I love you----"

"A little, maybe. But I'll marry no man just to save my face--and his."

But he caught her close to him, finding a new joy in his momentous
decision. She struggled still, but he would not be denied.

"Yes, you will," he whispered. "You've got to marry me whether you want
to or not. You're compromised."

"I don't care."

"Oh, yes, you do. And you love me, Beth."

"I don't love you----"

"You do. And I'm going to marry you whether you want it or not."

"Oh, _are_ you?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Soon."

He kissed her. She didn't resist him. Resistance was useless. He had
won.

"Beth, dear," he went on. "I couldn't lie to you. I'm glad you knew
that