He's never been a stayer, and he's not the sort to begin now."
"You really don't understand him," Maud said.
"Maybe not," Jake's tone was faintly grim. It indicated that he had no
intention of arguing the matter further.
Maud abandoned it and they mounted the stairs together in silence. At the
door of her room she turned without words and put her arms around his
neck.
He held her closely still supporting her. "Shall I come and put you to
bed, my girl?"
She answered him softly. "No, darling, no! Don't be late yourself, that's
all! And--Jake--thank you for all your goodness to me!"
"Oh, shucks--shucks!" he said.
She raised her hands, holding the bronze head between them, gazing
straight into the free, dominant eyes with all her soul laid open to
their look. "There is no one like you in all the world," she said. "You
are greater than kings."
"That's just your way of putting it," said Jake. "You're not exactly an
impartial judge, I reckon. Barring the fact that I'm your mate, I'm a
very ordinary sinner. Moreover, Saltash tells me I'm getting fat."
"How dare he?" said Maud.
He laughed in her indignant face. "Now I'm getting my own back! There!
Don't get excited! No doubt he meant well! And I certainly ride heavier
than I did.
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