“What others?” “They will say: 'Why doesn't he send a better man? He is no trailer.' It is true. Money might find him and bring him back, but all the money in the world could not teach him to trust his friends. There is a misunderstanding here which is too bitter to be borne. It is hard to explain,--the intimacy that grows up between men placed as we were. But as soon as help reached us, the old lines were drawn. I belonged with the officers, he with the men. We could starve together, but we could not eat together. He accepted it--put himself on that basis at once. He would not come up here as the guest of the Post. He is done with us because he thinks we are done with him. And he knows that I must know his occupation is gone. He will never guide nor pack a mule again.” “Your mother and my father, they will understand. What do the others matter?” “I must tell you, dear, that I do not propose to tell them--especially them--why I go. For I am going. I must go! There are reasons I cannot explain.” He sighed, and looked wildly at Moya, whose smile was becoming mechanical. “I hate the excuse, but it will have to be said that I go for a change--for my health. My health! Great God! But it's 'orders,' dear.” “Your orders are my orders. You are never going anywhere again without me,” said Moya slowly. Her smile was gone. She stood up and faced him, pale and beautiful. He rose, too, and stooped above her, taking her hands and gazing into her full blue eyes arched like the eyes of angels. “I thought she was a girl! But she is a woman,” he said in a voice of caressing wonder. “A woman, and not afraid!” “I am afraid. I will not be left--I will not be left again! Oh, you won't take me, even when I offer myself to you!” “Don't--don't tempt me!” Paul caught her to him with a groan. “You don't know me well enough to be afraid of _me!_” “You! You will not let me know you.” “Oh, hush, dear--hush, my darling! This isn't thinking. We must think for our lives. I must take care of you, precious. We don't know where this search may take us, or where it will end, or what the end will be.” He kissed the sleeve of her dress, and put her gently from him, so that he could look her in the eyes. She gave him her full pure gaze. “It is the poor man again. You said he would spoil our lives.” “He is _our_ poor man. You didn't go out of your way to find him. And your way is mine.” “It is so heavenly to be convinced! Who taught you to see things at a glance,--things I have toiled and bungled over and don't know now if I am right! _Who_ taught you?” “Do you think I stood still while you were away! Oh, my heart was sifted out by little pieces.” “You shall sift mine. You shall tell me what to do. For I know nothing! Not even if I may dare to take this angel at her word!” “I knew you would not take me!” the girl whispered wildly. “But I shall go.” XVI THE NATURE OF AN OATH