“Small blame to you,” said Mrs. Dan. “For she often doesn’t herself. Miss Ess has been living down in the cities most of her time, I hear?” Scottie made no reply. He was acting on the truism that “if no questions are asked, no lies need be told,” and he improved on it by adding “and no truths.”
“She’d find the men out here a thought rough after being used to folks with city ways,” said Mrs. Dan, “although you’ve some real well-spoken an’ well-educated men at Thunder Ridge—Ned himself is that, and so is Aleck Gault and Steve Knight. Though Steve’s the best o’ the bunch to my way of thinkin’. Don’t you think so?”
“He’s the best horseman we have,” said Scottie.
“He’s more. He’s the best and the whitest man on the Ridge,” cried Mrs. Dan. “You know I think a lot o’ Steve. He once did something for Dan and me that I’ll never forget. And I’d give a hand to help him.”
Scottie said nothing, and laid his empty cup down carefully. Mrs. Dan saw her chance slipping away. “You like Steve yourself, don’t you? You don’t believe he’s as bad as some make out?”
“I’ve kenned waur,” said Scottie, non-committally.
“Would you have anything to say against it if you knew Steve was in love with Miss Ess, or she with him?”
“There’s nae need tae answer that till I ken they are,” said Scottie, smiling calmly.
“Do you think they are?” said Mrs. Dan, desperately.
“It hardly matters what I think—it’s what they think themselves that counts,” returned Scottie, imperturbably, and moved to the door.