Part 6 (2/2)
”I've been used to night watches--tending sheep and cattle on the plains.
What's the difference whether it's night or day so long as you sleep somewhere in the twenty-four hour zone?”
”I never was up ahead of the sun before,” she said with a little s.h.i.+ver, as she came close to the fire.
”I am heating over the coffee that was left. That will make you feel better.”
”I suppose there isn't any water hereabouts to wash in. You know they teach us to be sanitary in the reformatories.”
He pointed to a jar.
”I always carry some in the car. Help yourself.”
”Arctic ablutions never appeal to me,” she said when she had used the cold water freely and returned to the fire. ”I found another left-over in the shape of a sandwich minus the pork, so we can each have a slice of toast with our coffee.”
She put a piece of bread on a forked stick and held it out to the blaze.
He did the same with the other half of the sandwich. Then they partook of a meagre but welcome breakfast.
”Look!” he said presently in an awed voice.
The sun was sending a glorious searchlight of gold over the highest hill-line.
”Swell, isn't it?” she commented cheerily.
Her choice of adjectives repelled any further comments on Nature by him.
”I'm not used to sleeping out,” she said, as he carefully raked over the remains of the fire, ”and it didn't seem to rest me. Thank you for making me so comfortable, Mr. Walters.”
She spoke gently; altogether her manner was so much more subdued this morning that he felt the same wave of pity he had felt when Bender had first mentioned her case to him.
”I am sorry,” he said, ”that you had to stay out here all night. It was my fault; but you will have a more comfortable resting place to-night.”
A sound was heard: a modern, welcome sound, breaking in distractingly on the primeval silence. Kurt hastened to the road and saw the encouraging prelude of dust. The pa.s.sing tourist gave him the requisite supply of gasoline and continued on his way.
”Come on, Pen!” called the sheriff.
She suppressed a smile as she followed.
”You called me by my first name,” she couldn't resist reminding him.
”I didn't know your last one,” he responded quickly and resentfully as he helped her into the car.
”Let me think. I've had so many aliases--suppose I make out a list and let you take your choice. Most of my pals call me 'The Thief.'”
The look of yesterday came back to his eyes at her flippant tone and words.
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