"No."
"Then, good-bye. I must go."
"Good-bye, dear—darling."
She touched her horse lightly with the willow, but promptly drew rein, regarding Nicholas with her boyish eyes.
"Do you think it would make it any easier if we kissed?" she asked.
"Geriminy! I should say so!"
He caught her hands; she leaned over and he kissed her lips. She drew back with the same frank laugh, but a flush burned his face and his eyes were sparkling.
"More, Genia," he said, but she laughed and let the bridle fall.
"No—no—but it made me feel better. There, good-bye, dear, dear Nick Burr, good-bye!"
Then she dashed past him, and a whirl of dust filled the solitary air.