"Of course—I didn't understand. But it makes no difference. I can stay at the hotel or at Mrs. Brennan's."
"After all this? Oh, no, you'd be miserable. Besides, I have other plans."
"You don't want me?"
"No. I'll be very busy."
"No busier than you were before we came here."
Jeff paced the length of the room and returned before he answered her.
"See here, Camilla. You ought to know, by this time that when I say a thing I mean it. I'm going West alone to do some fence-building. You're to stay here and do the same thing—socially. I need these people in my business, and I want you to keep on good terms with them."
She gazed thoughtfully at the fire. "Don't you believe me when I say I want to go with you?"
Jeff made an abrupt movement. "Well—hardly. We've always got along pretty well, so long as each of us followed our own pursuits. But I think you might as well acknowledge that you don't need me—haven't needed me now or at any other time."
"I do need you, Jeff. I want to try and take a greater interest in your affairs—to help you if I can, socially if necessary, but I'd rather do it with you than alone."