Like an honest man he dreaded the mere formulas of thanks at such a moment, but neither could an honest man forego them. "How can I ever repay you!" he mumbled.
She clapped a warm hand over his mouth.
As he was about to step in the canoe Ambrose saw a bundle lying on the ground to one side that he had not remarked before. "What is that?" he asked.
"Nothing for you," she said quickly.
The evasive note made him insist upon knowing.
For a long time she would not tell, thus increasing his determination to find out. Finally she said very low: "I jus' foolish. I think maybe—maybe you want tak' me too!"
Ambrose's heart was wrung. His arm went around her with a right good will. "You poor baby!" he murmured. "I can't!"
She struggled to release herself. "All right," she said stiffly. "I not think you tak' me. Only maybe."
"By God!" swore Ambrose. "If I live through my troubles I'll find a way of getting you out of yours!"
"Ah, come back!" she murmured, clinging to his arm.