"Do you think you're doing me a favor in this? Do you think I will thank you after it is done?"
"I don't believe I expect to be thanked, an' I'm only doin' it because you hadn't ought to. I'd do it fer any woman."
He swung the ax against the restraining timbers and a dozen strokes freed the roof from its twisted fastenings. She stood off at one side and glared at him. She forgot everything except that her enemy—Jud's bitterest foe—was deliberately befriending her. A sudden thought came to her, and the sharp exclamation that fell from her lips caused him to pause and glance at her.
"Ain't you goin' in by the fire?" he demanded, panting from the exertion.
"'Gene Crawley, do you know who has been cutting wood up in the grove and bringing it to my door?" she demanded.
"Yes," he answered, looking away.
"You?"
"Yes."
"If I had known that, I'd have frozen to death before I used a stick," she cried, the tears rushing to her eyes.
"An' I fixed your fences an'—an'—an', I might as well tell you, I come around ever' night to see that your stock is all right," he went on.