"Nobody believes ye come here for your health, an' everybody might believe ye had an idea ye could rid the country of Nightriders. They're ready to believe anything of a newcomer. They think he's a spy, an' they mout think anything that they take a notion to think. My warnin' to ye is that ye better not say that, ye better take it back as a joke right now."
"You wouldn't tell on me, would you?"
"Ye better take it back."
"I won't take anything back," he said firmly, but smiling.
"Ye frighten me, Jack."
She spoke with all the tenderness of her heart.
"I don't mean to do that. I'm very docile, I'm just opening my life to you because I—I think I like you and——"
"Ye needn't," she said, blushing. "I know what ye would say. Dad don't like for the gentlemen to talk to me that away."
"Dad is far away just now, and if I say I like you, Nora, it is because I do, and your Dad can know that much if he so desires. I do not mean to deceive him, nor would I deceive you for all the world and this big mountain thrown in." He peered down into those great dark eyes, which met his gaze with unflinching, gleaming admiration. "It's so pleasant here," he added.
"Ain't it pleasant in the big city?" she asked doubtfully.