"I guess you're tired."

"No, I ain't. It's not that. But it all happened so
suddenly, and the boat was so crowded I thought everybody'd hear
what he was saying.--Ann Eliza," she broke out, "why on earth don't
you ask me what I'm talking about?"

Ann Eliza, with a last effort of heroism, feigned a fond
incomprehension.

"What ARE you?"

"Why, I'm engaged to be married--so there! Now it's out! And
it happened right on the boat; only to think of it! Of course I
wasn't exactly surprised--I've known right along he was going to
sooner or later--on'y somehow I didn't think of its happening to-
day. I thought he'd never get up his courage. He said he was so
'fraid I'd say no--that's what kep' him so long from asking me.
Well, I ain't said yes YET--leastways I told him I'd have to
think it over; but I guess he knows. Oh, Ann Eliza, I'm so happy!"
She hid the blinding brightness of her face.

Ann Eliza, just then, would only let herself feel that she was
glad. She drew down Evelina's hands and kissed her, and they held
each other. When Evelina regained her voice she had a tale to tell
which carried their vigil far into the night. Not a syllable, not
a glance or gesture of Ramy's, was the elder sister spared; and
with unconscious irony she found herself comparing the details of
his proposal to her with those which Evelina was imparting with
merciless prolixity.