“Roy,” she said, looking back over her shoulder.
The boy rubbed his wet eyes with the sleeve of his jacket and got up.
“Are you afraid?”
“Not now.”
“That is well.... You’ll be punished.... Not severely.... For you came back of your own accord—repentant.... Tell me, were you really afraid that the Special Messenger might catch you?”
“Yes, I was,” he said simply. “That’s why I acted so rough with you.... I didn’t know; they say any woman you see may be the Special Messenger.... So I took no chances.... Who are you, anyway?”
“Only a friend of yours,” she said, smiling. “Please pick up my kitten. Thank you.... And some day, when you’ve been very, very good, I’ll ask Colonel Kay to let you take me fishing.”
And she stepped lightly ashore; the boy followed, holding the kitten under one arm and drying his grimy eyes on his sleeve.