Silence a minute or two. Then Hal asked:
“Laura, have you ever been up Geyser Rock?”
“No. Why?” Her look was wondering.
“Let’s go!”
“That’s pretty rough climbing for a girl, isn’t it?”
“Not for a girl like you, Laura. You can make it, all right. And the view—oh, wonderful!” His enthusiasm quickened now that he saw her coming to his hand. “On a clear day you can see Cape Ann, to northward, and Cross Rip Light, to the south. See that big Norway pine right there? That’s where the path leads in. Come on, Laura!”
“I—I don’t know—”
“Afraid?”
“Not where you are, Hal, to protect me!”