Nan started in well-assumed surprise and then asked him why he had not been to see her . John blushed -- stammered -- did n't know -- had been busy . Nan cut short his halting excuses by demanding to know if he were really going away , and what he intended to do . `` I 'll go out on the prairies and take up a claim , '' said Osborne sturdily . `` Begin life over again free of debt . It 'll be hard work , but I 'm not afraid of that . I will succeed if it takes me years . '' They walked on in silence . Nan came to the conclusion that Osborne meant to hold his peace . `` John , '' she said tremulously , `` wo n't -- wo n't you find it very lonely out there ? '' `` Of course -- I expect that . I shall have to get used to it . '' Nan grew nervous . Proposing to a man was really very dreadful . `` Would n't it be -- nicer for you '' -- she faltered -- `` that is -- it would n't be so lonely for you -- would it -- if -- if you had me out there with you ? '' John Osborne stopped squarely in the dusty road and looked at her . `` Nan ! '' he exclaimed . `` Oh , if you ca n't take a hint ! '' said Nan in despair .
It was all XXXXX an hour later that a man drove past them as they loitered up the hill road in the twilight .
at for if in of on out over to with