"But listen, please; you haven't thought. I'm not a society girl. I don't belong in your circle. I couldn't grace your position the way your wife ought to do. Remember, we're nobodies. We're poor! We live in a _barn_!"
"What do you suppose I care about that?" he answered eagerly. "You may live in a barn all your days if you like, and I'll love you just the same. I'll come and live in the barn with you if you want me to. My position! My circle! What's that? You'll grace my home and my life as no other girl could do. You heart of my heart! You strong, sweet spirit! The only question I'm going to ask of you is, Can you love me? If you can, I know I can make you happy, for I love you better than my life. Answer, please. Do you love me?"
She lifted her eyes, and their spirits broke through their glances. If the old man at the other end of the car was looking they did not know it.
They came back to the cottage at the shore with a manner so blissful and so unmistakable that even the children noticed. Elizabeth whispered to Carol at table: "My brother likes your sister a lot, doesn't he? I hope she likes him, too."
"I guess she does," responded Carol philosophically. "She oughtta. He's been awfully good to her, and to all of us."
"People don't like people just for that," said wise Elizabeth.
Harley, out on the veranda after dinner, drew near to Carol to confide.
"Say, kid, I guess he _has_ got a case on her all right now. Gee! Wouldn't that be great? Think of all those cars!"
But Carol giggled.
"Good night! Harley! How could we ever have a wedding in a barn? And they're such particular people, too!"
"Aw, gee!" said Harley, disgusted. "You girls are always thinking of things like that! As if that mattered. You can get married in a chicken-run if you really have a case like that on each other! _You make me tired!_" and he stalked away in offended male dignity.
Meantime the unconscious subjects of this discussion had gone to Mrs. Hollister to confess, and the sea was forgotten by all three for that one evening at least, even though the moon was wide and bright and gave a golden pathway across the dark water. For a great burden had rolled from Mrs. Hollister's shoulders when she found her beloved eldest daughter was really loved by this young man, and he was not just amusing himself for a little while at her expense.