The first is to maintain an optimistic and enthusiastic atmosphere . . . . In fact, this optimistic attitude of projecting a man into his bright future can in some cases carry a romance from desire, through judgment, and into action. Not always, however, can we rely upon this approach. We sometimes have to resort to other methods. A second way of making it easy for him to act is to get him in a romantic and sentimental frame of mind.
Few men propose in a mood of cold and calculating reason.
In such a mood, reason is subdued and the impulse to speak out is unopposed. The manner of awakening these sentimental moods is accompanied by creating romantic situations. A number of suggestions are given here. The atmosphere can be even more suggestive of sentiment if it is winter and the wind is howling outside and sleet is dashing against the window. How cozy and comforting it is for the girl and the boy, sitting before an open fire with the lights dimmed, to sit and dream.