Aloud she said , `` Of course . '' `` Anne , '' said Jane , still more solemnly , `` what do you think of my brother Billy ? '' Anne gasped over this unexpected question , and floundered helplessly in her thoughts . Goodness , what DID she think of Billy Andrews ? She had never thought ANYTHING about him -- round-faced , stupid , perpetually smiling , good-natured Billy Andrews . Did ANYBODY ever think about Billy Andrews ? `` I -- I do n't understand , Jane , '' she stammered . `` What do you mean -- exactly ? '' `` Do you like Billy ? '' asked Jane bluntly . `` Why -- why -- yes , I like him , of course , '' gasped Anne , wondering if she were telling the literal truth . Certainly she did not DISlike Billy . But could the indifferent tolerance with which she regarded him , when he happened to be in her range of vision , be considered positive enough for liking ? WHAT was Jane trying to elucidate ? `` Would you like him for a husband ? '' asked Jane calmly . `` A husband ! '' Anne had been sitting up in bed , the better to wrestle with the problem of her exact opinion of Billy Andrews . Now she fell flatly back on her pillows , the very breath gone out of her . `` Whose husband ? ''
`` Yours , XXXXX course , '' answered Jane .
about for if in like of on over to with