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Posco was astounded beyond belief to see Lily standing in front of him, laughing and talking as though she were very pleased to see him. For a moment he couldn't speak. He had been so certain that Blanco had gone out to see Lily... and so why was she standing before him now, instead of sitting out there with Blanco, or perhaps dancing with him?
And then he realised, with a wave of guilty, that he had never given Lily any credit whatsoever. He had always looked on her as a lovely lassie whom he loved dearly and wanted to marry... and one he could never have because he was so shy and awkward. He had always looked at himself, and never at her. He had never considered the fact that she meant it when she said she loved him, and that she wouldn't reject him just because he thought she would. He had never considered all the worry she might be suffering because he had never gone to see her... he had always supposed that he wasn't worth worry, never that she didn't think so.
"Lily," he began, and he was bothered with how weak his voice sounded. "Lily," he said once again, and this time his voice was stronger. "I can't begin to say how sorry I am that I came here instead of Bree. I was shy of calling on you at your uncle's house, and I was afraid that you might have decided that... that you liked Tommy Banks more than me. I had no confidence in you at all, and I should have."
He paused for a moment, and Lily didn't say anything... bless her heart! She knew that he wanted to say what he must, without interruption. Bless her dear little heart!
"I'm a shy, awkward sort of hobbit who is afraid of everyone. I know you... you love me anyway, but I've been a miserable failure so far. You're so good and kind, Lily, you deserve much better." He saw how her expression darkened slightly, and he hurried on. "I don't mean that you ought to go marry Tommy Banks!" he cried. "I don't want you to do that! That is to say, as long as you don't want to. I'm not saying you deserve a better hobbit... but that deserve a better... well, a better Posco. One who doesn't let shyness be selfishness, and tries to see what's best for you."
And now what? Was there anything more to be said. No, he had apologised as well as he could. It sounded horribly awkward, but at least he was sincere. The only thing left to do was to put forth the plans for visiting her often over the next few months, until he felt he more thoughtful towards her... and ready to marry her and support her.
"Now, then," he began, taking a deep breath. "I have a proposal to make..."
Her eyes lit up, and he realised that he oughtn't to have used the word 'proposal.' He always was making mistakes. But it was at the moment he opened his mouth to explain that he didn't mean 'propose' just yet that Gróin came stumbling into the room, shouting Lily's name.
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