“Wolf!”
In place of anger there was something like humility. Then the smile Annette had forced deepened. It looked even more real.
“I hadn’t thought you’d the guts, Wolf,” she said.
The man stared.
“No,” he said helplessly. “That’s how you’ve most always said.”
Annette nodded. Her smile broadened still further. But the sight of it only gladdened the man when it should have warned him.
“I did it because I thought that way,” the girl went on humbly. She drew a deep breath. “Say, I don’t care a curse for him. I never did. He couldn’t ever be a thing in my life. I’m not Molly Gros.”
Reaction swept over the man.
“Say, kid, I’m—I’m sorry——”
He stood with his long arms outheld. But Annette shook her head.