“I think we did. There will be no more Shoshone gang. It’s members have scatted in all directions.”
“I’m glad you stayed, then. We can live at peace now.” And presently she added: “I knew you would not come back until you had done what you set out to do. You’re very obstinate, sir. Do you know that?”
“Perseverance, I call it,” he smiled, glad to see that she was recovering her lightness of tone.
“You don’t always insist on putting your actions in the most favorable light. Do you remember the first day I ever saw you?”
“Am I likely ever to forget it?” he smiled fondly.
“I didn’t mean that. What I was getting at was that you let me go away from you thinking you were ‘the king.’ I haven’t forgiven you entirely for that.”
“I expect y’u’ll always have to be forgiving me things.”
“If you valued my good opinion I don’t see how you could let me go without telling me. Was it fair or kind?”
“If y’u come to that, was it so fair and kind to convict me so promptly on suspicion?” he retaliated with a smile.
“No, it wasn’t. But—” She flushed with a divine shyness. “But I loved you all the time, even when they said you were a villain.”