'It's
ower wee!' he cried, aghast.
'That's ma middle finger.'
It fitted nicely. Triumphantly he exclaimed: '_Noo_ we're engaged!'
She had no rejoinder ready.
'Ye can tak' ma arm, if ye like,' he said presently, just a little
too confidently.
'I dinna feel in danger o' collapsin' at present,' she replied,
regarding the ring under the lamp they were passing. 'Ye're an
extravagant thing!' she went on. 'I hope ye got it on appro.'
'What--dae ye no like it?'
'I like the feel o' it,' she admitted softly, 'an' it's real bonny;
but ye--ye shouldna ha'e done it, Mac.' She made as if to remove
the ring.
He caught her hand. 'But we're engaged!'
'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.
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