"What does it matter?" he cried pleadingly. "What does that matter?"
There was no response from her. She looked steadily off into the jungle.
"That is just what does matter," she said. "You must not let them get possession of your land."
"I don't intend to. But that——"
"I don't want to see them gobble you up like"—she laughed bitterly—"like they're doing to me."
"No! They haven't done that. They can't. I saw it a moment ago."
"Don't! It hurts. No, they haven't gobbled me up yet, but I don't think they'll delay much longer. They're too strong for me, you see: Aunty, and father, and—him. Aunty trained me for it; poor father cries: he's in his power; and he—it's a terribly strong array against one girl—all alone."
"Not quite alone."
"Yes, quite alone. That's the horror of it. I've told you before; you couldn't understand; but it's myself, only my own soul, that can settle this—it's very strange."
"You can't tell me—what it is?"