He looked from Zelda to her uncle inquiringly.
“This pike leads directly into town,” said Merriam, pointing over his shoulder. “Good day, sir!”
He spurred his horse forward, Zelda following; and in a moment Captain Pollock was staring blankly at the blur of dust that enveloped them.
“Well, my dear uncle,” began Zelda, when they had turned a bend in the road, “I’d like an explanation of this very amazing conduct.”
She brought her horse to a walk and touched her uncle’s arm with her riding whip.
“What’s the matter?” asked Merriam.
“Don’t try to play the innocent! Why didn’t you introduce me to that courier? You hurried me off as though he were the basest of all earth’s creatures, instead of—”
“Instead of what?”
“Why, instead of an exceedingly handsome young man. He’s about the best I’ve seen.”
“He is, is he?”