“Leavin’ us?” inquired Happy, incredulously.
“Careful, girl, careful,” warned Nick, softly.
The Girl hesitated a moment, and then went recklessly on:
“It’s bound to happen soon.”
Sonora looked more puzzled than ever; he rested his hand upon her desk as if to support himself, and said:
“I don’t quite understand. Great Gilead! We done anythin’ to offend you?”
“Oh, no, no, no!” she hastened to assure him, at the same time letting her hand rest upon his.
But this explanation did not satisfy Sonora. Anxious to discover what she had at heart he went on sounding:
“Tired of us? Ain’t we got style enough for you?”
The Girl did not answer; her breathing, swift and short, painfully intensified the hush that had fallen on the room; at last, the boys becoming impatient began to bombard her with questions.