The fair head bent closer and closer, then he kissed her—the little man-coated figure in his arms.
“I love you,” he said.
She trembled in his embrace. He kissed her again.
“I love you,” he repeated.
She hid her face on his breast. He lifted it gently.
“I tell you—I love you,” he said.
He placed her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips to his, once, softly.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“My girl, my girl!” he said in answer. The confession was far sweeter than he had ever dreamed. He held her cheek pressed close to his for a long moment.
“The Three Bars is waiting for its mistress,” he said at last, exultantly. “A mistress and a new foreman all at once—the boys will have to step lively.”