“Ralph,” she kept repeating over and over in a gentle, penetrating voice. She believed her voice would somehow reach her companion’s consciousness. She had the control and the sense of having braced herself to meet an emergency, which was characteristic of Peggy Webster. But there was no doubting the depth of her feeling; nor of how much affection she felt for her friend.
It was there in her face, as well, and Ralph saw it when he first opened his eyes. Howard Brent was also a witness. If Ralph had wished proof that he had won his wager and had made Peggy Webster care for him by a few weeks of careless attention, his proof was undeniable.
Yet Ralph had no thought except gratitude and admiration. Peggy Webster was the clearest-eyed, the bravest, and the truest girl he had ever known in his life. Ralph remembered his own instinctive clutch after her and would have given five years of his life to wipe out the memory.
But Peggy was perfectly sensible and matter of fact by this time.
In her pocket she had the usual first aid Camp Fire necessities. Ralph’s head was only cut and not deeply, as far as one could see. She merely bandaged it until they could reach the flat table-land above. There they would find water and whatever else was required.
In spite of his protest Ralph was made to ride the burro, with the guide ahead leading them both, and Howard assisted Peggy.
It was a sorry little party and not impressive. If Peggy had not been so tired she would have been amused at the spectacle they presented, after only about a half an hour’s exploration of the Grand Canyon.
But she really did wish to make as light of the situation as possible.
“Please don’t say a great deal about how stupid Ralph and I were, Mr. Brent. That is, let us agree not to tell any more than we positively must. If mother and my aunt learn that I pitched over a cliff they will be so wretched over what might have happened to me—and did not—that it will spoil their pleasure, and perhaps everybody’s. I am awfully grateful to you,” she ended shyly; “of course, we would both have come to grief without you.”
“No; the guide would have looked after you, and I was of no value without him,” Howard Brent returned brusquely. He was in a bad temper and, although he did not wish to vent it upon Peggy, he found it almost impossible to conceal his anger.