Thorne straightened himself somewhat hastily in his chair. Nothing in the shape of a tactful answer occurred to him, and he grew uneasy under his companion's smile.
"Would you like to see her walk right in just now?" she persisted.
There was no doubt that this would not have afforded the man the slightest pleasure, but he could not admit it.
"It's scarcely likely to happen," he evaded awkwardly.
Then to his relief Lucy laughed.
"Mavy, I've sure got you fixed. The curious thing is they allow at the settlement that you could most talk the head off any of the boys."
"I really don't see what satisfaction you expected it to afford you," Thorne rejoined.
"I guessed it would help to put Nevis out of your mind. I'd an idea you wanted cheering up—and I felt a little like that myself."
The girl's manner changed abruptly as she rose, and there was only concern in her eyes.
"I wonder," she added softly, "where Jake is and what he is doing now."