Pagina 74 di 439

She began to cry softly, hiding her face in his coat-sleeve.

"I'm crying because--it's all over. I'm a little fool, just

as--as you said I was."

"I didn't know you then," he smiled. "I'm right likely to make

snap-shot judgments that are 'way off."

"You knew me well enough to--" She broke off in the middle,

bathed in a flush of remembrance that brought her coppery head up

from his arm instantly.

"Be careful. You're dizzy yet."

"I'm all right now, thank you," she answered, her embarrassed

profile haughtily in the air. "But I'm ravenous for something to

eat. It's been twenty-four hours since I've had a bite. That's

why I'm weepy and faint. I should think you might make a

snap-shot judgment that breakfast wouldn't hurt me."

He jumped up contritely. "That's right. What a goat I am!"

His long, clean stride carried him over the distance that

separated him from his bronco. Out of the saddle-bags he drew

some sandwiches wrapped in a newspaper.