He had a notion to tell her that he was joking and so brush away her sweet seriousness, but the effect of it was too delightful.

He let it stand.
"Suppose we didn't have time to get married here ?" he added, an afterthought striking him.
"If we got married as soon as we got to the other end of the journey it would be all right." "I meant that," he said.
"Yes." The morning seemed peculiarly bright to him now.

He wondered whatever could have put such a thought into his head.

Impossible as it was, he could not help smiling at its cleverness.

It showed how she loved him.
There was no doubt in his mind now, and he would find a way to win her.
"Well," he said, jokingly, "I'll come and get you one of these evenings," and then he laughed.
"I wouldn't stay with you, though, if you didn't marry me," Carrie added reflectively.
"I don't want you to," he said tenderly, taking her hand.
She was extremely happy now that she understood.