"I think you're clever, and that you've got
plenty of horse-sense, as they say in the West, but you'll be beaten in
the end. How does it feel"--she asked it with provoking candour--"to be
the boss of big things?"
"I know I'm always settling troubles my business foes make for me. I have
to settle one of them now, and I'm glad I've met you, for you can help
me. I want some new river-rules made. If Belloc and Grier'll agree to
them, we'll do away with this constant trouble between our gangs."
"And you'd like me to help you?"
He smiled a big riverman's smile down at her, full of good-humour and
audacity.
"If you could make it clear to Fabian that all I'm after is peace on the
river, it'd do a lot of good."
"Well, do you know," she said demurely, "I don't think I'll take a hand
in this game, chiefly because--" she paused.
"Yes: chiefly because--"
"Because you'll get your own way without help. You get everything you
want," she added with a little savage comment.
A flood of feeling came into his eyes, his head jerked like that of a
bull-moose. "No, I don't get everything I want. The thing I want most in
the world doesn't come to me." His voice grew emotional. She knew what he
was trying to say, and as the idea was not new she kept composure.
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