Pen let it go at that.
"As for coming down here," Riever went on, "that was just an impulse. I was so shocked at the moment I could think of nothing else ... Perhaps it was foolish. But I can't say I regret it because it has made me acquainted with you."
"You are polite," said Pen.
"It's more than that," said Riever.
After awhile he said: "You will not be sorry to see us go, I'm afraid."
A glad cry leaped to Pen's lips: "You are going!" But she caught it in time. "I sha'n't be sorry to see the last of Delehanty and his crew," she said calmly.
"And the rest of us?" he asked.
"It will be hard to settle down into the old dull routine when you are gone," she said.
"I might come back," he suggested.
"Father and I would always be happy to see you," said Pen demurely.