proposal in the Choctaw dialect instead of a slurringly mumbled
travesty on English.

The man's stark earnestness of entreaty sent a queer flutter to
the very depths of her calm soul. But the flutter failed to reach
or to titillate the steady eyes. Nor did it creep into the level
and self-possessed voice, as Dorcas made quiet answer:

"Yes. I like you better than any other man I know. And I'll marry
you, if you're perfectly sure you care for me that way."

No, it was not the sort of reply Juliet made to the same
question. It is more than doubtful that Cleopatra answered thus,
when Antony offered to throw away the world for her sake. But it
was a wholly correct and self-respecting response. And Dorcas had
been rehearsing it for nearly a week.

Moreover, words are of use, merely as they affect their hearers.
And all the passion poetry of men and of angels could not have
thrilled Link Ferris as did Dorcas's correct and demure assent to
his frenziedly gabbled plea. It went through the lovesick man's
brain and heart like the breath of God.

And thus the couple became engaged.

With only a slight diminishing of his earlier fear did Link seek
out Old Man Chatham to obtain his consent to the match. Dizzy
with joy and relief he listened to that village worthy's
ungracious assent also secretly rehearsed for some days.