“Oh, no!” said Gault sharply. “Do not put that slight upon me before these redskins. Surely you have done enough. . . .”
“Oh,” said Loseis, “if you feel that way about it, it does not matter, of course.”
He immediately recovered himself. “Let us appear to take a friendly good-by of each other.”
“Surely,” said Loseis. “Perhaps you will take a letter out for me? I understand that the mail is carried from Fort Good Hope every month.”
“Charmed!” said Gault.
She gave him the letter which had been written during the afternoon. It was addressed to Gruber at the Crossing. She realized that if the first letters had not been sent out, this one would hardly be allowed to go; still, it was a chance that must not be neglected.
Gault, standing hat in hand, said with his polite smile: “I shall give myself the pleasure of sending over from time to time, until assistance reaches you from the outside. Though you repudiate it, I still feel responsible for you.”
Loseis smiled back—a little quizzically. Is it worth it? her smile said.
“Good-by,” said Gault, putting out his hand.
“Good-by,” said Loseis, letting hers lie within it.