"He takes it over, and does the development work," she answered.
"That means that you are independent; that you can leave the North Country and do all the things you want to do?" This time her smile was puzzling. "You don't seem very glad!"
"No! Realization discounts anticipation about ninety per cent but don't let's talk about me. I—I'm unstrung to-day."
"I'm sorry you aren't going back to Kalvik," he said, with genuine regret.
"But I am," she declared, quickly. "I'm going back with you and George if you will let me. I want to see the finish of our enterprise."
"See here, Cherry, I hope you didn't influence Hilliard in this affair?"
"Why probe the matter?"
"Because I haven't lost all my manhood," he answered, roughly. "Yesterday you assumed the blame for this trouble, and spoke of sacrifices—and—well, I don't know much about women; but for all I know, you may have some ridiculous, quixotic strain in your make-up. I hope you didn't—"
"What?"
"Well, do anything you may be sorry for." At last he detected a gleam of spirit in her eyes.