"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't know, I didn't think you would be interested."
"So she can't wait? She is so eager that she follows you from Chicago clear up into this wilderness. Then you won't need my assistance any more, will you?" Her lids drooped, half hiding her eyes, and her face hardened.
"Of course I shall need your help. Her coming won't make any difference."
"It strikes me that you have allowed me to make a fool of myself long enough," said Cherry, angrily. "Here I have been breaking my heart over this enterprise, while you have known all the time that she was coming. Why, you have merely used me—and George, and all the rest of us, for that matter—" She laughed harshly.
"You don't understand," said Boyd. "Miss Wayland—"
"Oh yes, I do. I dare say it will gratify her to straighten out your troubles. A word from her lips and your worries will vanish like a mist. Let us acknowledge ourselves beaten and beg her to save us."
Boyd shook his head in negation, but she gave him no time for speech.
"It seems that you wanted to pose as a hero before her, and employed us to build up your triumph. Well, I am glad we failed. I'm glad Willis Marsh showed you how very helpless you are. Let her come to your rescue now. I'm through. Do you understand? I'm through!"
Emerson gazed at her in astonishment, the outburst had been so unexpected, but he realized that he owed her too much to take offence.