"I thought you had gone away long ago," she said stiffly.
"Otherwise," asked Gavin the dejected, "you would not have came back to the well?"
"Certainly not."
"I am very sorry. Had you waited another moment I should have been gone."
This was said in apology, but the willful Egyptian chose to change its meaning.
"You have no right to blame me for disturbing you," she declared with warmth.
"I did not. I only--"
"You could have been a mile away by this time. Nanny wanted more water."
Babbie scrutinized the minister sharply as she made this statement. Surely her conscience troubled her, for on his not answering immediately she said, "Do you presume to disbelieve me? What could have made me return except to fill the pans again?"
"Nothing," Gavin admitted eagerly, "and I assure you---"