The girl laughed a little hysterically.
"I—I—was——"
"You thought I——"
"Yes, yes. But you are—better? Sure?"
The man's head turned deliberately toward her. There was astonishing vigor in the movement.
"Ther's things broke inside me, Nan," he said, in a voice that was growing stronger. "A rib, I guess. Maybe it's my shoulder. The others—guess they're just nothing. Now tell me—the things I asked. How did you happen to git around? Start that way."
A sense of relief helped the girl. He had given her an opportunity which she seized upon.
"Oh, Jeff, it was just thanks to Evie. I guess she saved your life."
"How?"
The girl's enthusiasm received a set-back in his tone.