"The river's falling," he said at length. "It's gone down two feet. We can cross this evening."
"Then I must hurry and finish my mending."
She evidently was not going to extend so much as the tip of a finger. In his bashful misery his mind worked suddenly and unexpectedly.
"I've got to go and get the horses," he said, and, setting the pail on the log beside her, turned and ran.
But Susan was prepared for this move. It was what she expected.
"Oh, Leff," she called, lazily. "Come back, you've forgotten your strawberries."
And he had to come back, furious and helpless, he had to come back. He had not courage for a word, did not dare even to meet her gaze lifted mildly to his. He snatched up the pail and lurched off and Susan returned to her sewing, smiling to herself.
"He wanted you to take the berries," said Daddy John, who had been watching.
"Did he?" she queried with the raised brows of innocent surprise. "Why didn't he say so?"
"Too bashful!"