"Does he seem to be hurt?"
"Not that I can see—he's running."
"Thank God!" Forbes exclaimed. He had time now to think of himself and his deliverer. He took a step nearer her, and it seemed to him, though he could not be sure, that she drew back a little.
"As I understand it, you saw me from a distance, and realized I was in danger. And you ran to help me."
"Yes." The monosyllable was hardly more than a breath.
"I thought I heard a cry once. Did you call?"
"I tried—to. Running up hill—I didn't—have breath."
There was a hysterical catch in her voice. Forbes seized her by the arm. "Oh, you're crying. Please don't."
"I'm not." She sobbed aloud as she denied the charge and continued to sob to his immense distress. He found her hand and patted it soothingly as if she had been a child.
"Poor girl! I can see how unnerving all this has been. But won't it help a little if you remember that you've saved my life?"