"Anything you say," she rejoined, laughing; and a few minutes later, John Burton the canny was scandalized to see the President's daughter walking up and down the narrow platform with the passenger agent, eating her half of an apple turnover which Brockway had bought and shared with her.
XXI
ON THE HEIGHTS
John Burton was scandalized, and he said as much to his wife when the train was once more on its way up the canyon.
"Emily, there's going to be a fracas when we get back to-night. It's my opinion that the President sent his daughter with us to get her out of Fred's reach."
"Then it serves him right," said Mrs. Burton, complacently. "She is not a child; she's old enough to know her own mind."
"That may be, but it doesn't let us out. I wish you'd go back and sit with them awhile."
"And get myself disliked? No, thank you. I may not shine as a star in the chaperonic firmament, but I'm a human being. Think of it; put yourself in Fred's place, if you haven't hopelessly outlived the possibility, and see how you'd like to be duennaed at such a time."
"It isn't a question of likes and—" but at that moment the truants appeared to speak for themselves.