Tillie paused for breath and then Bill opened his mouth to speak, but the loquacious Tillie got in before he could begin and he had to wait.
"Now I believe Douglas would have lots of attention even if her mother did nothing to help on, but Mrs. Carter would enjoy having a daughter in society more than a daughter would enjoy being there, I believe, and she would be entertaining and spending money from morning until night. Of course, Lewis Somerville would be lots of help as he would stand ready to take Douglas anywhere that she did not get a bid from some other man----"
"Gone! Nonsense! Now that he is out of West Point I'll be bound he will just dance attendance on Douglas. He is dead gone on her. That helps a lot in a girl's first year: to have a devoted--that is, if he is not silly jealous."
"Both of us enlisting!" Tillie was absolutely silenced for a moment and Bill went on: "See here, Miss Wingo, Tillie! I'd be glad if you would--if--I'm stuck on you for sure."
"Oh, come off! You know you think I'm the silliest ever."
"I think you are about the prettiest, jolliest ever. I wish you would let me go off to Mexico engaged to you. It would make it lots easier to work and I mean to work like a whole regiment and make good. Won't you, Tillie?"
"Well, I don't care if I do. You are a fine dancer and I think a heap of you, Bill. I'd rather keep it dark, though, if you don't mind, as it queers a girl's game sometimes if she gets engaged."
"Lord, no! I don't mind just so I know it myself," and the happy Bill enfolded his enamorata in his arms, although she carefully admonished him not to crush her new dress.
"I never dreamed you were thinking about me seriously," she confessed as she emerged from his embrace.
"Honest? Been dotty about you ever since you took me for a jitney driver and tipped me a quarter. Got it yet."
"Look how dark it is! I believe we are going to have a storm. What a great black cloud! Let's hurry, as I have no idea of getting my frock wet."
Hurry they did and reached the pavilion just as great drops began to fall. Bill was in a state of happy excitement over his engagement, although it was something he must keep to himself. He felt like shouting it on the housetops, but instead he gave one of his great laughs that startled Mrs. Carter so she stopped dancing and hunted up Bobby.