"I'm not used to leaving women in such a fix. The moment I saw that the blizzard was beginning all over again I turned back."
"You haven't had any breakfast?" said Peggy.
"Nothing to speak of," he replied, dryly. "I wasn't thinking of breakfast when I pulled out."
"I'll get you some."
Alice could not throw off the burden of his danger. "What will you do when my people return?"
"I don't know—trust to luck."
"You are very foolish. They are certain to come to-day."
"They won't know who I am if you women don't give me away."
"I'm sure Freeman—Professor Ward—will know you, for he also saw the placard."
"That's no sign. Suppose he does—maybe he won't think it is his job to interfere. Anyway"—here his voice became decisive—"I won't leave you in such a fix as this." His eyes spoke to her of that which his tongue could not utter. "I wanted an excuse to come back, anyway," he concluded. "No matter what comes now, my job is here to protect you."