What actually produces an emotional response from Flora (as opposed to her usual practical nature) and how does Flora deal with the situation?

Reuben suddenly asks if Flora would consider marrying him. Flora is moved but tells him she would be no good as a farmer's wife. She suggests Mark Dolour's daughter, who is only fifteen but will be the right age in a few years, by which time the farm should be very successful. Reuben agrees that since his chicken feathers have been covering her doll's hats for years (those stolen by her father), it is only right she should end up with the chickens, too. She has a bit of an emotional response, but then immediately pushes the little sentimentality aside and becomes her usual, practical self and finishes "tidying up" Reuben's life.