Part 7 (2/2)

But so certain was I of this that, without even taking thought to consider, I left the highway, turned to the right, and began to mount the hillside where traces of a path or sheep-walk were faintly visible under foot among the brambles. Once or twice I glanced upward to see whether she observed me, but the scrubby foliage now hid her as well as the sap-house, and I hastened because the light was growing very dim now, and once or twice, far away, I thought I heard the muttering of thunder.

It was not long before I perceived the ramshackle sap-house ahead of me among the maples. Then I caught sight of her whom I was seeking.

It was plain that she had not yet discovered me, though she heard me moving in the thicket. She stood in a half-crouching, listening att.i.tude, then slowly began to retreat, not cowering, but sullenly and with a certain defiance in her lithe movement, like some disturbed and graceful animal which is capable of defending itself but prefers to get away peaceably if permitted.

I stepped out into the clearing and called to her through the increasing gloom; and for a moment thought she had gone. Then I saw her, dimly, watching me from the obscurity of the dark doorway.

”You need have no fear of me,” I called to her pleasantly. ”You know me now, do you not?”

She made no answer; and I approached the doorway and stood peering into her face through the falling twilight. And for a moment I thought I had been mistaken; but it was she after all.

Yet now she wore neither the shabby chip hat with its soiled blue ribbon tied beneath her chin, nor any trace of hair powder, nor dotted kerchief cross-fastened at her breast and pinned with the withered rose.

And she seemed younger and slimmer and more childish than I had thought her, her bosom without its kerchief meagre or unformed, and her cheeks not painted either, but much burned by the July sun. Nor were her eyes black, as I had supposed, but a dark, clear grey with black lashes; and her unpowdered hair seemed to be a reddish-chestnut and scarce longer than my own, but more curly.

”Child,” I said, smiling at her, I know not why, ”I have been searching for you ever since I first saw you----”

And: ”What do you want of me?” said she, scarce moving her lips.

”A favour.”

”Best mount your cobbler's mare and go a-jogging back, my pretty lad.”

The calm venom in her voice and her insolent grey eyes took me aback more than her saucy words.

”Doubtless,” I said, ”you have not recognized in me the officer who was at some slight pains to be of service----”

”What is it you desire?” said she, so rudely that I felt my face burn hot.

”See here, my la.s.s,” said I sharply, ”you seem to misunderstand my errand here.”

”And am like to,” said she, ”unless you make your errand short and plainer--though I have learned that the errands which bring such men as you to me are not too easily misunderstood.”

”Such men as I----”

”You and your friend with the bold, black eyes. Ask him how much change he had of me when he came back.”

”I did not know he had seen you again,” said I, still redder. And saw that she believed me not.

”Birds sing; men lie,” said she. ”So if----”

”Be silent! Do you hear!” I cut her short with such contempt that I saw the painful colour whip her cheeks and her eyes quiver.

Small doubt that what she had learned of men had not sweetened her nor taught her confidence. But whatever she had been, and whatever she was, after all concerned not me that I should take pains to silence her so brutally.

”I am sorry I spoke as I did,” said I, ”--however mistaken you are concerning my seeking you here.”

She said nothing.

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