"No," Jake said, preparing to mount again. "I haven't tried that at present."
Toby watched him a little wistfully as he moved away, leading her horse.
"I am trying to be good," she said. "He knows that."
"Yes, she's trying hard," Maud said very kindly. "Jake and I are going to be proud of her some day."
Saltash's brows twisted humorously. "I wonder," he said. And then again lightly he laughed. "Don't get too good, Nonette! I can't rise to it."
She turned swiftly, looking up into the derisive face above her with open adoration in her own. "You!" she said. "You!"
"Well, what about me?" he said.
She coloured very deeply. "Nothing, sir, nothing! Only—you're so great!"
He flicked her cheek, grimacing hideously. "Is that your pretty way of telling me I'm the biggest rotter you ever met?"
"Oh, no!" said Toby quickly and earnestly. "Oh no! I think you are—a king. If—if anyone could make me believe in God, you could."
She spoke with a sincerity that held a hint of passion. The grimace flicked out of Saltash's face like a picture from a screen. For a moment he had the blank look of a man who has been hit, he knows not where. Then with lightning swiftness, his eyes went to Maud. "You hear that?" he said, almost on a note of challenge. "Why don't you laugh?"