She knew what would follow when Jeff had
gathered sufficient strength.
Sure enough he went on presently:
"I remember everything--till--I dropped," he said haltingly. "What
happened--after--that? Y'see--I--heard--firing."
Nan glanced helplessly about her. If only her father would return with
the water! It might help her. She felt that she could not, could not
tell him the things he was demanding of her.
But again came his demand, and in the tone of it was a sound of peevish
impatience.
"What--happened--after--Nan? I need--to know."
"It all came of a rush. I can't just tell it right."
The man's eyes closed again. He remained silent so long that Nan's
apprehensions reawakened. She even forgot her panic at his persistence.
"Jeff! Jeff!"
Her call to him was almost a whisper. But the man heard. His eyes
opened at once.
"Yes, Nan?"
The girl laughed a little hysterically.
"I--I--was----"
"You thought I----"
"Yes, yes. But you are--better? Sure?"
The man's head turned deliberately toward her.
Pages:
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494