Scorning further parley, I had but one answer for this protesting.
A little soft gray squirrel, belated, had come down from a tree near by and sat upon his haunches, switching his tail and looking at us most curiously.
“Upon my word, I find you a most forward person,” said my lady, brushing back her hair from her temples.
“And I, by your leave, find you most impertinent, and therefore quite strong enough to make a journey with me.”
“Then we may get away to the ships on the morrow?”
“And you are willing for me to carry you.”
The color flushed again into her pale cheeks as she cast down her eyes upon her deer-skin leggings and then strove to pull the short skirt to cover over her knees.
“What matters it, my Diane?” I whispered. “And besides when the Fort is taken we may find a minister or priest——”
But she clapped her hand upon my mouth and would hear no more.