She shook her head. "I don't think by the time the spring comes that there will be much left worth having."
"Ah, but ye don't know," said Kelly. "You say that because you can't see all the flowers that are hiding down below. But you might as well believe in 'em all the same, for they're there all right, and they'll come up quick enough when God gives the word."
Sylvia looked around her over the barren land. "Are there flowers here?" she said.
"Millions," said Kelly. "Millions and millions. Why, if you were to come along here in a few weeks' time ye'd be trampling them underfoot they'd be so thick, such flowers as only grow here, on the top of the world."
"The top of the world!" She looked at him as if startled. "Is that what you call—this place?"
He laughed. "Ye don't believe me! Well, wait—wait and see!"
She turned her horse's head, and began to walk round the kopje. Kelly kept pace beside her. He was not quite so talkative as usual, but it was with obvious effort that he restrained himself, for several times words sprang to his eager lips which he swallowed unuttered. He seemed determined that the next choice of a subject should be hers.
And after a few moments he was rewarded. Sylvia spoke.
"Mr. Kelly!"
"Sure, at your service—now and always!" he responded with a warmth that no amount of self-restraint could conceal.