'Ye're ower sure o' that,' she said a trifle sharply.
He stared at her.
'Firstly, I never said I wud tak' the ring for keeps,' she
proceeded. 'Secondly, ye ha'ena seen ma uncle yet----'
'I'm no feart for him--if ye back me up. Him an' yer aunt'll dae
onything ye like.'
'Thirdly, ye ha'e never. . . .' She broke off as they reached the
close leading to her home.
'What ha'e I no done, Christina?'
'Never heed. . . . Leave go ma finger.'
'Will ye keep the ring?'
'Hoo can I keep the ring when ye ha'e never. . .' Again the
sentence was not completed. She freed her hand and stepped within
the close.
'Tell me, an' I'll dae it, Christina,' he cried.
She shook her head, smiling rather ruefully.
'Tell me,' he pleaded.
'I canna--an' maybe ye wouldna like me ony better if I could.' She
took off the ring and with a wistful glance at it offered it to him.
He took it, and before she knew, it was on her finger again.
'Ye've jist got to keep it!' he said, desperately. 'An' Christina,
I--I'm gaun to kiss ye!'
'Oh, mercy!'
But he had none. . . .
'Are we engaged or no?' he whispered at last.
'Let me get ma breath.'
'Hurry up!'
She laughed, though her eyes were wet. 'Oh, dear,' she murmured,
'I never thought I wud get engaged wi'oot a--a . . .'
'A what?'
Suddenly she leaned forward and touched his cheek. 'Dinna fash
yersel', Mac. Bein' in war-time, I suppose the best o' us has got
to dae wi'oot some luxury or ither--sich as a proper High-Class
Proposal.'
V