Then Dave said quietly, "Not this year, old man." "Perhaps we can promise you one for next fall, Hippy," said Anne, with a sudden temerity which surprised her as well as the others.
"Anne!" David's voice vibrated with newborn hope.

For the instant he forgot everything except the fact that Anne had at last approached some degree of definiteness regarding their future.
"I said 'perhaps,'" laughed Anne, but behind her laughter David read the blessed truth that in Anne's secret heart there was no "perhaps," and the little hand which lay so contentedly in his, as they strolled up the walk to the house, made the assurance of his new joy doubly sure.
"Why can't you make me happy too, Grace ?" asked Tom in a low, reproachful tone.

They had dropped a little to the rear of the others.
"I'm sorry, Tom," faltered Grace, "but I can't.

I am fonder of you than any other man I know, but it is the fondness of long friendship.

I'm not looking forward to marriage.