I said
'No thank you,' because I th-thought of your warning. 'Oh yes!' said he,
and _would_ walk with me, and keep saying he loved me. So, to stop him, I
said, 'M-much ob-liged, but I was b-busy and had no time to flirt.' 'Nor
have I the in-inclination,' said he. 'That is not what others say of
you,' said I--you know what you t-told me, mamma--so at last he said
d-did ever he ask any lady to be his wife? 'I suppose not,' said I, 'or
you would be p-p-private property by now instead of p-public.'"
"Now there was a foolish speech; as much as to say nobody could resist
him."
"W-wasn't it? And n-no more they could. You have no idea how he makes
love; _so_ unladylike: keeps advancing and advancing, and never once
retreats, nor even st-ops. 'But I ask _you_ to be my wife,' said he. Oh,
mamma, I trembled so. Why did I tremble? I don't know. I made myself cold
and haughty; 'I should make no reply to such ridiculous questions; say
that to mamma, if you dare!' I said."
Mrs. Dodd bit her lip, and said, "Was there ever such simplicity?"
"Simple! Why that was my cunning.
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