Then I knew that he was going to propose to me on the spot, and kept my eyes shut tighter than ever.
"Well, at last he hurt my hands so that I thought I'd try to make him stop.

So I spoke as low as I could, and asked if I was home, and he said yes." Minnie paused.
"Well ?" asked her sister.
"Well," said Minnie, in a doleful tone, "I then asked, 'Is that you, papa dear ?'" Minnie stopped again.
"Well ?" asked Mrs.Willoughby once more.
"Well--" "Well, go on." "Well, he said--he said, 'Yes, darling'-- and--" "And what ?" "And he kissed me," said Minnie, in a doleful voice.
"Kissed you!" exclaimed her sister, with flashing eyes.
"Ye-yes," stammered Minnie, with a sob; "and I think it's a shame; and none of them ever did so before; and I don't want you ever to go away again, Kitty darling." "The miserable wretch!" cried Mrs.Willoughby, indignantly.
"No, he isn't--he isn't that," said Minnie.

"He isn't a miserable wretch at all." "How could any one be so base who pretends to the name of gentleman!" cried Mrs.Willoughby.
"He wasn't base--and it's very wicked of you, Kitty.

He only pretended, you know." "Pretended!" "Yes." "Pretended what ?" "Why, that he was my--my father, you know." "Does Ethel know this ?" asked Mrs.Willoughby, after a curious look at Minnie.
"No, of course not, nor Dowdy either; and you mustn't go and make any disturbance." "Disturbance?
no; but if I ever see him, I'll let him know what I think of him," said Mrs.Willoughby, severely.
"But he saved my life, and so you know you can't be _very_ harsh with him.

Please don't--ple-e-e-ease now, Kitty darling." "Oh, you little goose, what whimsical idea have you got now ?" "Please don't, ple-e-e-ease don't," repeated Minnie.
"Oh, never mind; go on now, darling, and tell me about the rest of it." "Well, there isn't any more.