"I believe you're fonder of your horses and cattle and things than you are of people," she flashed.
The man's hand continued patting the pony's yellow neck.
"More fond than I am of some people, maybe you meant to say."
"Perhaps so," she conceded.
"Yes, I think I am," he admitted. "They're more worthy. They never abuse a kindness, and never come down to the insult of class distinctions. They're the same to-day, to-morrow, a year from now. They'll work themselves to death for you, instead of sacrificing you to their personal gain. Yes, they make better friends than some people."
Florence smiled as she glanced at her companion.
"Is that what you want to tell me? If it is, seeing I've just made my choice and decided to return to civilization and mingle with human beings of whom you have such a poor opinion, I think we may as well go back. Mamma and I have been racking our brains for two days to find a place for the china, and I've just thought of one."
Blair was silent a moment; then he said, "I promised to return whenever you wished, but I've not said what I wanted to say yet."
Florence looked at the speaker with feigned surprise. "Is that so? I'm very curious to hear!"
Ben returned the look deliberately. "You'd like to hear now what I have to say?"