"They'd think that you were old Neptune's Queen, and
that you meant to sit beside him all the rest of your life. Let
them think that, Patty,--and, let it be true! Will you, my apple
blossom girl?"
"No, Bill," said Patty, quietly, and changed her pose so that she
did not face him. His words had startled her. Above the rumbling
of the float, she had heard him clearly, though, of course, they
could not be overheard by the laughing, chattering bystanders.
His earnest tones had left no room for doubt of his meaning, and
after Patty's first shock of surprise, she felt a deep regret that
he should have spoken thus. But in an instant her quick wit told
her that she must not think about it now. She must turn a
laughing, careless face to the passing audience.
"Nay, nay, Neptune," she said, facing him again, "I must play my
own part. If a life on the ocean wave is not as easy as I had
hoped, yet must I brave it out to the end."
Farnsworth took his cue. He knew he ought not to have spoken so
seriously at this time, but it was really involuntary. He had
fallen deeply in love with the Eastern girl, and his Western
whole-heartedness made it difficult for him to conceal his
feelings. He flashed a warm, sunny smile at her and said heartily:
"All right, Sea Sprite! I know your pluck and perseverance.
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