“The Blatant Beast, he is there in the chaparral. Dear me, I shouldn’t say chaparral, I should say thicket.” She altered her voice. “Why, Neal Jordan, where did you come from?”
“Never mind, tell me what is the matter. What frightened you?”
“Why nothing, except an imaginary something. I was only playing that I was a lovely lady as I came along, and you came in the nick of time to fall into my whim, so I just called out to fool you.”
“You are the same old Alison, I see,” said Neal, smiling.
“Yes, I believe I am. One would suppose that I might stop playing such childish things by this time, but I like to do it.”
Neal scrutinized her closely as she gathered her hair into place, dismounting in order to do so. “You are taller,” he said. “Why, I believe you are taller than your sister.”
“So I am, but that is not answering my question. Where did you come from?”
“Directly from Mexico. The war is practically over.”
“And did you bring me something pretty for writing you that long letter?”
“I brought you something if you will have it.”