She was in no mood for dealing with a proposal.

She had too many other things to be thinking of, wondering about.
But she reprimanded herself for selfishness.

It meant something to him, whether it did to her or not.

She must be kind--as kind as she could.
The kindest thing she could think of was to keep him from proposing.

To that end she answered every sentimental remark with a flippant one.
It grieved, but did not restrain him.