[Darksheare]

The answer is a stern cough while cleaning your guns.
Then eye him carefully while sharpening a rather large knife.
Make lots of "deep in thought" sounds while doing the above.
Then invite him out back to help you dig a hole.
Should work wonders for his enthusiasm.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Our (now) son-in-law was trying to get my husband alone to ask him for our daughter's hand. My husband knew this was coming, so every time he perceived that he was about to be approached on the subject, he actually did go up to the barn to the gun case and proceed to clean his guns.

When said son-in-law finally did ask, my husband made both of them write a 3 page essay explaining why they thought they were ready for marriage.

They've been married almost seven years now, so I guess they were actually ready.