You mustn't." Her anger at herself helped now.
"Why, I stood like a silly fool, tongue-tied, and I wanted to say
so much. I--"
"You don't need to," Hale said gently, "I understand it all. I
understand."
"I believe you do," she said with a sob, "better than I do."
"Well, it's all right, little girl. Come on."
They issued forth into the sunlight and Hale walked rapidly. The
strain was getting too much for him and he was anxious to be
alone. Without a word more they passed the old school-house, the
massive new one, and went on, in silence, down the street. Hitched
to a post, near the hotel, were two gaunt horses with drooping
heads, and on one of them was a side-saddle. Sitting on the steps
of the hotel, with a pipe in his mouth, was the mighty figure of
Devil Judd Tolliver. He saw them coming--at least he saw Hale
coming, and that far away Hale saw his bushy eyebrows lift in
wonder at June. A moment later he rose to his great height without
a word.
"Dad," said June in a trembling voice, "don't you know me?" The
old man stared at her silently and a doubtful smile played about
his bearded lips.
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