“It was an accident, and I’m mighty sorry,” Lefty said contritely. “Maybe I owe you an apology, and I’m makin’ it now.”
“I’ll accept no apology from you,” retorted Cecil. “You’ll be reported to the authorities.”
Connie shot Lefty a glance which warned him to say nothing more.
“Let’s talk about it after we get back to the ranch,” she said. “We’ll have to postpone our visit to the cliff dwellings until later.”
“I’ll get the horses,” Lefty declared.
“We may as well all walk along with you,” replied Connie. “Cecil and I will freeze if we stand here.”
Lefty tried to put his jacket around Connie but she passed it on to Cecil. He took it most ungallantly, and Miss Parker then stripped off her light sweater, insisting that the girl wear it.
“Cecil, I think you might thank Miss Carl for saving your life,” Helena reminded her brother. “It was a pretty brave thing to do—jumping off that cliff after you.”
“I did thank her,” Cecil replied.
He had said no word of appreciation to Connie, but the girl expected none. If only he could be induced to forget the incident, that was all she asked. Somehow she must keep him from reporting the matter to the authorities.