I cooked
a venison steak on hot stones, and we had maize cakes and wild berries
and water from a spring. We sat alone at meat as we had never done.
After lunch the woman sat under the sycamore and I lay at her feet. I
looked up at her till her eyes dropped.
"Madame," I whispered, "madame, you were vexed with me last night."
She forced her glance to mine. "Monsieur, I had been terribly anxious
for three days. When I saw you"----
A sun ray fell across her face, and I took my hat and held it between
her and the light. "You did not finish," I said. "I will help you.
When you saw that I was safe you were vexed that I had not come earlier
and so saved you anxiety? Is that what you were about to say, madame?"
She turned to smile and shake her head at my seriousness. She fought
down her rising color and held her head like a gallant boy.
"I was unreasonable," she said. "Please forget it. Did your trading
prosper, monsieur?"
But I would not shift my eyes. "I shall try not to vex you again in
that way. I did not think--except of my own anxiety. Let me tell you
what I have been doing. I have been trading, yes, but I have also"----
"Careful, monsieur!"
"I wish you to know.
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