Milton hardly knew whether to ask Bettie to go back with him or not, but Blackler relieved him from embarrassment by rousing up and saying:
"Oh, I'm all right now, Bettie. Hyere's yer girl, Milt. See the eye I've got on me? She says she won't ride home with any such"——
"Ed, what in the world do you mean?" Bettie could hardly understand her lover's sudden exultation; it was still a very serious matter to her, in spite of the complete reconciliation which had come with the assault. She felt in a degree guilty, and that feeling kept her still tearful and subdued, but Ed leered and winked with his good eye in uncontrollable delight. Milton turned to Bettie at last, and said:
"Well! I'll get Marc around to the door in a few minutes. Get your things on."
Bettie and Ed stood close together by the door. She was saying:
"You'll forgive me, won't you, Ed?"
"Why, course I will, Bettie. I was as much to blame as you was. I no business to git mad till I knew what I was gittin' mad at."
They were very tender now.
"I'll—I'll go home with you, if you want me to, 'stead of with Milt," she quavered.
"No, I've got to take S'fye home. It's the square thing."