human
Now, Dave, I want you to tell me one or two things as clearly as you can.
gpt
Go in and talk to Mrs. Farquhar. Keep clear of Nevis, and ride home as soon as you can after supper. If you feel compelled to mention the thing, there's no reason why you shouldn't to-morrow. It won't do much harm then.
human
So you heard what Dave told me? I thought you did,
gpt
Yes, assented Alison.
human
The question is whether Nevis heard him too.
gpt
He certainly heard part, but there are one or two things he can't very well know. For instance, it was Slaney's intention to ride in to the railroad as soon as he'd had supper.
human
Forrester's place must be at least two leagues from here,
gpt
About that, Thorne agreed with a smile.
human
It's far enough to make it exceedingly probable that anybody who started from this settlement when he'd had his supper would only get there after Winthrop had gone.
gpt
But Nevis might send a messenger immediately.
human
It strikes me as very unlikely that he'd get any one to go. There are only one or two horses in the place, and I've been round to see the men to whom they belong.
gpt
But suppose he goes himself?
human
He won't until after supper. Nevis is not the man to deny himself unless it seems absolutely necessary, and he'll naturally assume that Slaney is spending the night with Forrester. But there's a certain probability of his setting out immediately after the meal.
gpt
And what are you going to do about it?
human
I'm very much afraid I can't do anything. You see, the--arrangement--with Corporal Slaney stands in the way.
gpt
You never thought that Winthrop would come back here when you made it,
human
No, acknowledged Thorne;
gpt
I've changed my mind about Winthrop, she told him at length.
human
I want him to get away.
gpt
Lucy Calvert is, no doubt, a good deal more anxious than I am that he should escape, and it would be only natural if you wished to earn her thanks. I think she could be very nice, and her eyes are wonderfully blue.
human
Yours, he said,
gpt
You feel that your hands are absolutely tied by the hint you gave Slaney that afternoon?
human
That's how it strikes me, Thorne declared.
gpt
In this case I'm afraid I'll have to stand aside and content myself with looking on.
human
But haven't you already made it difficult for Nevis to get a messenger?
gpt
I've certainly given a couple of men a hint that I'd rather they didn't do any errand of his to-night. That may have been going too far--I can't tell. He paused and laughed softly.
human
Except when it's a case of selling patent medicines, I'm not a casuist.