'Yes,' said Hermie.
'No other Australian's been mentioned like that.'
'No,' said poor Hermie.
'It was a fine thing to do,' he repeated. He got little further than that all the time the girl stayed; even when Cameron came up, all a-quiver with deep sympathy, he still only said, 'It was a fine thing to do.' After an hour or so, he looked at them expectantly.
'I suppose you'll have to be getting back?' he said; and Cameron and Hermie rose at once.
He saw them down the steps, and even helped Hermie on her horse again. Cameron rode on.
'Good-bye, missie,' he said. Then he shot an almost aggressive look at her. 'You ought to be fine and set up that a fellow like that loved you.'
'I am,' said Hermie bravely. 'I shall be proud of it just as long as I live, Mr. Stevenson.'
He softened a little, then looked suddenly old and very tired.
'I want to be alone now,' he said. 'But I don't mind if you come up again to-morrow.'