After all, she thought, he might as well know the truth one time as another.
"You know well enough, Rachel, how I feel toward you.

Isn't there any hope?
I could make you happy.

I've loved you a good many years--" "Why, how old do you think I am ?" broke in Rachel with a nervous laugh.

She was shaken out of her usual poise of manner.
"You know what I mean," went on Rollin doggedly.

"And you have no right to laugh at me just because I want you to marry me." "I'm not! But it is useless for you to speak, Rollin," said Rachel after a little hesitation, and then using his name in such a frank, simple way that he could attach no meaning to it beyond the familiarity of the old family acquaintance.