But I am not a girl."

"Well, if you were?"

"If I was what?"

"You know what I mean quite well. Would you hate him at first?"

"I hope not. I should want to strangle him, but I wouldn't hate him."

"And you would strangle him? For what?"

"For daring."

"Daring what?"

"You know."

He smiled.

"Oh, dear! Won't you listen to me? Tell me what to do."

"I could not tell you. You have not told me what has happened."

"I asked you what you would say to an attractive soldier who had told
you that he loved you."

"Yes. And I told you that if he had told that to me, I would ask what
ailed him."

"Oh, Daddy, you are too funny tonight. I can't reason with you."

She sat back on her heels and pouted.

He smiled and roused himself upright and put his arm around her and drew
her to him.

"There! There! I know what you mean, daughter. It means that I shall
have no say in the matter."

"Why?"

"You will do it all."

"No. I shall never leave you."

"Yes, you will. You will be happier. But why didn't Stephen ask me about
it?"

"How did you know it was Stephen?" she looked at him in astonishment.

"Well enough."

"But how?" she repeated.

"I knew it all the time and your mother and I have been prepared for
this occasion."

"But who told you?" Her eyes opened full and round in genuine wonder.
Here was one surprise after the other.

"There was no need of any one telling me. I have been watching the pair
of you, and sensed what the outcome would be some little while ago."

"But, Daddy. How should you know?"

He laughed outright.

"There! There! We are satisfied quite, I can assure you. I know what you
are about to say; and your mother knows it too."

"But I have not yet told her. I meant to tell her today but did not.
Then I thought of telling you and of whispering the whole story to her
after we were upstairs."

She was serious, very serious, absorbed for the most part in her story
although her mind was clouded with amazement at the want of surprise
which was manifested. Her innocent mind apparently was unable for the
time being to fathom the intricacies of this plot which seemed to be
laid bare to every one concerned save her own self.

"Of course you will tell her, but you will find that she will consent to
the proposal."

"What proposal?"

"Why, I suppose the proposal of your coming marriage."

"But!... But!... Daddy!... I never said anything about marriage."

"You did start to tell