"And ye'll come back here?" he demanded.
The girl glanced toward Governor Vandecar, and caught the slight inclination of his head.
"Yes," she promised; "yes, we'll come back, if you are quite well."
Cronk stooped down and pressed his lips to hers.
"I'd a gone with ye, Midge, 'cause I couldn't say no to nothin' ye asked me." But he halted, as they tried to lead him through the door.
"I don't like the dark," he muttered, drawing back.
Fledra eyed him in consternation. Never before had she known him to express fear of anything, much less of the elements which seemed but a part of his own stormy nature. Never had she seen the great head bowed or the shoulders stooped in timidity. Katherine had Cronk's hand in hers, and she gently drew him forward.
"Come, come!" she breathed softly.
"I'm afraid," Lon whined again. "I want to stay here, Midge." He looked back, and, encountering Vandecar's eyes, made appeal to him.
"Cronk," the governor said, "do you believe that I am your friend?"