Having achieved this feat, Mr. Ralph hurried on—followed Verty and Redbud over the log, treating Miss Fanny much after the fashion of the morning; and so in ten minutes they reached the house at the foot of the hill, and were sheltered.
Fanny overflowed with panting laughter as she turned and threw the coat back to Ralph.
"There, sir!" she cried, "there is your coat! How very gallant in you!
I shall never—no, sir, never forget your devotedness!"
And the young girl wrung the water from her curls, and laughed.
"Nothing more natural, my dear," said Ralph.
"Than what?"
"My devotedness."
"How?"
"Can you ask?"
"Yes, sir, I can."