Do n't you remember that evening last spring when I went a piece with Miss Reade and told you when I came back that a story was growing ? I guessed it from the way the Awkward Man looked at her when I stopped to speak to him over his garden fence . '' `` But -- the Awkward Man ! '' said Felicity helplessly . `` It does n't seem possible . Did Miss Reade tell you HERSELF ? '' `` Yes . '' `` I suppose it must be true then . But how did it ever come about ? He 's SO shy and awkward . How did he ever manage to get up enough spunk to ask her to marry him ? '' `` Maybe she asked him , '' suggested Dan . The Story Girl looked as if she might tell if she would . `` I believe that WAS the way of it , '' I said , to draw her on . `` Not exactly , '' she said reluctantly . `` I know all about it but I ca n't tell you . I guessed part from things I 've seen -- and Miss Reade told me a good deal -- and the Awkward Man himself told me his side of it as we came home last night . I met him just as I left Mr. Armstrong 's and we were together as far as his house . It was dark and he just talked on as if he were talking to himself -- I think he forgot I was there at all , once he got started . He has never been shy or awkward with me , but he never talked as he did last night . ''
`` You might tell us what he XXXXX , '' urged Cecily .
Do came forgot growing guessed met remember said suggested talked