Having raised his hat and turned on his heels, Barfoot strolled away in a mood of peculiar satisfaction.

He laughed to himself.

She was certainly a fine creature--yes, physically as well.
Her out-of-door appearance on the whole pleased him; she could dress very plainly without disguising the advantages of figure she possessed.
He pictured her rambling about the hills, and longed to be her companion on such an expedition; there would be no consulting with feebleness, as when one sets forth to walk with the everyday woman.
What daring topics might come up in the course of a twenty-mile stretch across country! No Grundyism in Rhoda Nunn; no simpering, no mincing of phrases.

Why, a man might do worse than secure her for his comrade through the whole journey of life.
Suppose he pushed his joke to the very point of asking her to marry him?
Undoubtedly she would refuse; but how enjoyable to watch the proud vigour of her freedom asserting itself! Yet would not an offer of marriage be too commonplace?
Rather propose to her to share his life in a free union, without sanction of forms which neither for her nor him were sanction at all.

Was it too bold a thought?
Not if he really meant it.