Then she placed a soothing hand on his arm and perceived he was quivering. She thought she understood, and the soft pity moistened her eyes and deepened in her heart.

“Don’t be afraid, Frale; they’re gone long ago, and won’t come back — not for a while, I reckon.”

He smiled faintly, never taking his eyes from her face. “I hain’t afeared o’ them. I hev been, but — ” He shook her hand from his arm and made as if he would push her away, then suddenly he leaned toward her and caught her in his arms, clasping her so closely that she could feel his wildly beating heart.

“Frale, Frale! Don’t, Frale. You never used to do me this way.”

“No, I never done you this-a-way. I wisht I had. I be’n