It was
raining slowly, the fine drops coming straight down through the
cold, still February air; but the two young people found it
pleasant enough for them on the veranda, where they walked back
and forth, making fair exchange of the exciting experiences which
had befallen them during their long separation. Between the lines
of these mutual recitals sweet, fresh echoes of the old, old story
went from heart to heart, an amoebaean love-bout like that of
spring birds calling tenderly back and forth in the blooming
Maytime woods.
Both Captain Helm and M. Roussillon were delighted to hear of
Long-Hair's capture and certain fate, but neither of them regarded
the news as of sufficient importance to need much comment. They
did not think of telling Beverley and Alice. Jean, however, lying
awake in his little bed, overheard the conversation, which he
repeated to Alice next morning with great circumstantiality.
Having the quick insight bred of frontier experience, Alice
instantly caught the terrible significance of the dilemma in which
she and Beverley would be placed by Long-Hair's situation.
Moreover, something in her heart arose with irresistible power
demanding the final, the absolute human sympathy and gratitude. No
matter what deeds Long-Hair had committed that were evil beyond
forgiveness, he had done for her the all-atoning thing.
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