_did_ this happen?"

The Indiarubber Man opened his eyes. "The seat tipped over backwards."

"But _how_?"

"It--it just tipped--as it were."

"Will you promise to lie still for one minute while I run for help--are
you in pain?"

"No. As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask you a question."

"What?" asked Betty, reaching for the bell with her disengaged hand.

"Betty, will you marry me?"

The Indiarubber Man's bandaged head was deposited once more among the
marigolds. Betty rose to her feet, astonishment and indignation
joining forces to overcome laughter within her. The resultant of all
three was something suspiciously like tears.

"_What_? Oh, I do believe--I don't believe it was an accident at
all----"

"Will you, Betty?" queried the Indiarubber Man from the depths of the
marigolds.

Voices sounded beyond the yews. A white-coated orderly appeared in the
distance, stood a moment in astonishment, and came running across the
grass towards them.

"Quick! There's someone coming. I swear I won't be budged till you
answer."

The orderly arrived panting. "What's up, miss, an accident?"

"Oh," gasped Betty. "Yes!"

The Indiarubber Man suffered himself to be moved.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TALL SHIP***

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