“But you’ll come back, Steve, if you can?”
“Do you want me back, Ess?” he said steadily. “Think before you answer me. If you say yes, I’ll take it to mean that you do care something for me. I’ll take it that you’re willing to listen to love talk from me, and for me to strive to the limit of my heart to make you love me. I’ll understand I have a chance, that you won’t hold it hopelessly against me that I’ve been many things I oughtn’t, and that I have the name of loving many and leaving them lightly....”
“I don’t believe that, even now,” she interrupted. “Not that you ever loved them—really loved them. And letting you take it to mean all you’ve said, I can still ask you to come back if ever you can. And I wish I could tell you now that I loved you. But you mustn’t count it against me, Steve, that I can’t—that I don’t know. I would tell you if I could, and you’ll believe that this crime they’ve charged against you counts as nothing, and less than nothing, with me.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
“And we’ll work for you here, Steve, while you’re away. You have good friends you can trust for that.”
“I’ve good friends,” he said brokenly; “God knows, I’ve good friends if ever a man had. I wouldn’t be here else. Hark, Ess——” They moved to the door and stood listening, and from high up the Ridge a faint coo-ee floated down to them.
“I must go, Ess. Good-bye,” and he kissed her hand again and leaped from the verandah.
But before he had gone three strides a choking cry turned him back. She was standing with her hands pressed to her face.
“Steve, Steve—I said I didn’t know,” she wailed. “But I do know—I know now.”
He was back beside her with one leap, and in an instant was straining her to his breast....