"There's one thing that hurts," she answered. "That it kept you out there watching, and I didn't even go to you—but I—I——"
"You were doing the white thing by that little sister. That makes it all the sweeter."
"She was afraid I'd scold," still through tears.
"You scold!"
"I would. I felt different about soldiers—then."
He took a deep breath. "They're handy to have around," he said.
"She's afraid Mr. Fraser'll find out what she said about you."
"He won't. He might get a notion she didn't know her own mind yet! He might—well, as Kippis says, ''E's bloomin' 'ot-'eaded,' the little beggar!"
"She don't know I told you. It'd bother her if——"
"That's between you and me, Dallas." He drew her near.