He gave his head a comical flirt on one side. "I beg pardon! Why Colonel?"
"I've promoted you for the brave deed of this morning."
He recovered himself. "Oh!—oh—yes!—Hah! I had forgotten. You saw me put 'em to flight? I was a little late, but I gave service, don't you think?"
"You were wonderful, but I know you're hungry; we're to have dinner soon—a real dinner, not a lunch."
He looked a little self-conscious. "Well—I—shall be delighted. You see, I was awake most of the night, and in riding one gets hungry—and, besides, breakfast was a little hurried. In fact, I don't remember that I had any."
"Why, you poor thing! I'll hurry it forward. Cheer up," and she whisked out of the room.
Maynard flecked a little dust from his sleeve and inquired, carelessly: "Your sister isn't married?"
"No, she sticks to me still. She's a blessed, good girl, and I don't know what I should do without her."
"You mustn't be selfish," remarked Maynard, reflectively. "But see here, I must knock off some dust, or I will lose the good impression I made on the ladies."
"Make yourself at home here and we'll have something to eat soon," said Curtis at the door.