Laddie was a big man.

Men were strong on purpose so they could bear things.

He loved the Princess so, and he didn't know whether she loved him or not; and every marriageable man in three counties was just aching for the chance to court her, and I didn't feel that he dared risk hurting her feelings.
Laddie said, to be the man who conquered the Princess and to whom she lifted her lips for a first kiss was worth life itself.

I made up my mind that night that he knew just exactly what he was talking about.

I thought so too.