As a matter of fact, the excitement which the delight of the eye had produced in him was a perfectly wholesome feeling, but the largeness of heart it gave him at that moment was unfortunate.
The girl stood just as before, ungainly and without power of expression because undeveloped, but excitation of thought made what she might become apparent to him in that which she was.

He became more generous towards her, more loving.
"Don't greet, that's a good lassie," he said soothingly.

"There's truth in what ye have said--that it's dull for ye here because ye have nothing to look ahead to.

Well, I'll tell ye what I didn't mean to tell ye while ye are so young--when ye're older, if ye're a good lassie and go on learning your lessons as ye have been doing, I will ask ye to marry me, and then (we hope of course to get more beforehand wi' money as years go) ye will have more interest and--" "Marry!" interrupted the girl, not strongly, but speaking in faint wonder, as if echoing a word she did not quite understand.
"Yes," he went on with great kindliness, "I talked it over with your father before he went, and he was pleased.

I told him that, in a year or two, if he liked it, I would marry ye--it's only if ye _like_, of course; and ye'd better not think about it now, for ye're too young." "Marry me!" This time the exclamation came from her with a force that was appalling to him.