“Sam,” she said, “I am in great trouble.”
“I be that sorry,” murmured Sam.
“I know you have a kind heart, Sam.”
“For you, miss,” he managed to stammer.
“And you are strong,” continued Annie.
“I’d knock any chap down as wanted to injure a ’air o’ yer ’ead, miss. It’s that beautiful, yer ’air is miss, like—like the sunshine when we spends a day in the country.”
“Do you think you would really help me, Sam?” said Annie.
“You has but to ask, miss,” said the red-haired giant, placing a huge hand over his heart.
“I don’t want your sister and her friend to know.”
“Oh, lawks, miss! you’ll turn my ’ead entirely. A secret atween you and me! Well, I’m that obligated I don’t know ’ow to speak.”