A step on the gallery caused her to turn. Colonel Blount crossed the length of the gallery and paused at her side. "Miss Lady," said he, "you just literally honey my b'ah-dogs up so all the time, that after a while I'll be ashamed to call the pack my own. I'm almost afraid now to take them out hunting, for fear some of them will get hurt; and you always make such a fuss about it." "You get them all bitten and cut up," said Miss Lady. "How do you think that feels?" "I know how it feels," said Blount, slowly. "As to dogs, I think there are times when it's a sort of relief to them. You can't change the way the world is made, Miss Lady. How'd you like to sit here for ever and never get a chance to see anything outside of this here yard?" Unconsciously, he had come close to a certain mark. "I should die," said Miss Lady, simply. "I was just thinking--" "What were you thinking?" said Blount, suddenly. "I don't blame Hec, after all. I should die if I had to stay here for ever, with just nothing to do--nothing--nobody--" Blount suddenly pulled up his chair and sat down close at hand. "Tell me, Miss Lady, what do you mean?" said he. "Tell me, child. Ain't you happy here?" "Well, I don't know." "Yes, you do know; and I asked you if you weren't happy." "Maybe you don't understand all about girls, Colonel Calvin," said Miss Lady. "I don't reckon I do. I don't reckon God A'mighty does, either, hardly. I thought you and your mother were contented here. You've made it a sort of heaven for me. I 'lowed it would run along for ever that-away." Silence fell between them. "Miss Lady," said Blount, finally, "I came out here this morning on purpose to hunt you up. Now, listen. You say you're not happy here. I have been nothing but happy ever since you came. For a long time I didn't know why. I didn't know why I kept on asking where was Miss Lady at, where was Miss Lady gone to. 'Now, where is Miss Lady?' I found myself asking this very morning. About an hour ago I found myself asking that mighty strong. Then I just set myself down, right out there on the board-pile, and done reasoned it all out. Then I found out why I was asking that question so much. I found out why I never did get married, Miss Lady. The reason was, I never wanted to, till now." Miss Lady was looking far away now, out across the fields. Her face was pale, save for a small red spot in either cheek. She moved as though she would have turned to face this man whose eyes she felt, yet this she was unable to do. She heard the voice go on, softer than she had ever known it before.