After a moment she said:

“What was it that you said about my — beauty?”

“I take my chances that it do me no deep damage.”

“Oh! Am I to take my chance, too?”

“What chance?”

“That — your kindness do me — no damage?”

“What senseless talk is this you utter?”

She shook her head slowly, then:

“What a strange boy! I do not fear you.”

“Fear me?” I repeated, flushing hotly. “What is there to fear? I am neither yokel nor beast.”