She walked across the room, and, looking out on the moonlit scene, was promptly greeted by a low growl from General. The next moment she stepped out, and beheld Seth’s tall figure leaning against one of the great gate-posts of the stockade, while General came over to her and rubbed his keen nose against her skirts.
Just for a moment she hesitated. It suddenly occurred to her that her action might be construed into spying, and she was possessed by a sense of shame at the bare thought. She knew that she was not spying in the baser sense of the word. She had no doubts of Seth. Instinct told her why he was out. She had come to find out the facts, but not by spying. She meant to question him.
She felt her heart thumping in her chest as she stepped quickly across the verandah. She was nervous, and a strange feeling of shyness made her long to turn back before the man became aware of her presence. But she controlled the impulse, and, though feeling herself flush in the cool air of the night, walked bravely on.
She believed she was unobserved. Her slippers gave out no sound, but as she came within a few yards of the still figure, the man’s voice greeted her. 274
“Thought you was abed, Rosie.”
The girl started at the sound. Seth had not moved, had not even turned his head. Then she answered.
“How did you know I was here?” she said quickly.
“Guess I heard General talkin’ to you.”
She was at his side now.
“But you never looked round?”