“How long was I unconscious?� she asked quickly, trying to piece together her recovery and all that he had done.
“Ten minutes,� he answered. “I saw the horse going by riderless and went out to look. It seemed a long time before I saw you coming and carried you into the shop. I thought you were not coming to, and you were so soaked with water that I had lifted you to bring you to the fire when you recovered.�
“I hope Jerry got home,� she said thoughtfully. “It was my folly; I saw how black the clouds were, and I ought to have gone home.�
Trench stooped for more wood and fed the fire, the glow lighting up his face again. “Where were you?� he asked simply, and then “I beg your pardon—�
“I was up the trail,� she said quietly. “I stayed too long. It was beautiful; all the young things are budding. I dismounted to gather some wild honeysuckle—and it is gone!�
For the first time his eyes met hers with a glow of understanding. “Did you notice the turn above the river?� he asked, still feeding the fire.
She smiled reluctantly. “How white the cucumber is,� she answered, “and did you see the red tips of the maples? How glossy the new green leaves look!�
“There is a place there, where the old hickory fell, where you can see the orchard and that low meadow by the lane—� His face was almost boyish, eager for sympathy, awakened, changed.
“It is beautiful,� Diana replied, nodding, “and one hears the Bob White there.�
“Ah!� he breathed softly, “you noticed?�