hesitated. "I was."

"Yes, but not now--when you've begun to realize what a jolly thing life
together would be. It isn't as if we'd never met before. We're pals
already."

"Yes; we're pals," said Toby, but still her voice was dubious.

"I say, be a sport!" the boy urged suddenly. "You said you weren't afraid
of me. Don't chuck the best thing in life for want of a little ordinary
courage!"

"What is--the best thing in life?" said Toby.

His hold grew close again, but it remained gentle. "You marry me," he
said, "and I'll show you!"

There was something sublime rather than ridiculous in his assurance. Toby
caught her breath again as if about to laugh, and then quite suddenly,
wholly unexpectedly, she began to cry.

"You poor little darling!" said Bunny.

She leaned her head upon his shoulder, fighting great sobs that
threatened to overwhelm her. It was not often that Toby cried, and this
was no mere child's distress. Indeed there was about it something that
filled her companion with a curious kind of awe. He held her closely
and comfortingly, but for some reason he could not speak to her, could
not even attempt to seek the cause of her trouble. As his sister had done
before him, though almost unconsciously, he sensed a barrier that he
might not pass.

Toby regained her self-command at last, stood for a space in silence, her
face still hidden, then abruptly raised it and uttered a little quivering
laugh.

"You great big silly!" she said. "I'm not going to marry you, so there!
Now let me go!"

Her tone and action put him instantly at his ease. This was the Toby he
knew.

"Yes, you are going to marry me. And I shan't let you go," he said. "So
there!"

She looked him straight in the face. "No, Bunny!" she said, with a little
catch in her breath. "You're a dear to think of it, but it won't do."

"Why not?" demanded Bunny.

She hesitated.

He squeezed her shoulders. "Tell me why not!"

"I don't want to tell you," said Toby.

"You've got to," he said with decision.

In the dimness his eyes looked into hers. A little shiver went through
Toby. "I don't want to," she said again.

"Go on!" commanded Bunny, autocratically.

She turned suddenly and set her hands against his breast. "Well then,
because I'm years and years older than you are--"

"Rot!" interjected Bunny.

"And--I'm not good enough for you!" finished Toby rather tremulously.

"Rats!" said Bunny.

"No, it isn't rats." She contradicted h