“Yes,” he answered, shortly. “D’you think I’m proud that I can master any man in a fair fight? What I want to be able to do is to master myself!”
There was silence between them, but he was aware that she did not take her eyes from him. At length he turned and looked at her and, seeing the admiration in her face, laughed aloud.
“Why you laugh?” she asked.
“I’m laughing at you women,” he answered. “How you love a little show of muscle! Good God, we might be living in the year one!”
“I not understand,” she said.
“No, I don’t suppose you do,” he answered. “But here we are: is this where you live?”
They had stopped before some large buildings in the vicinity of the main station. She nodded her head.
“Please don’t go away,” she said.
“No,” he answered. “I’ve had enough of the world, the flesh, and the devil for one day. I guess we’ll meet again some time or other. Good night, my girl; and thank you for your company.”
She held her hand in his. “Thank you,” she said, “for fighting that pig-man, Barthampton.”