"I! I haven't the courage of a caterpillar!" protested Darrel.
"You're the worst fibber in the Ardennes! You _did_ kill that grey boar this morning! What do you mean by telling us that you went up a tree! Maxl, the garde-de-chasse at the Silverwiltz gate, heard your shot and came up. And you told him to dress the boar and send a cart for it. Which he did!--you senseless prevaricator!"
"And you're wearing a bandage below your knee where the boar bit you when you gave him the coup-de-grâce! Maxl washed and bound it for you! What a liar you are, Harry! Does it hurt?"
"Maxl was stringing you, fair maid," he said lightly.
"Laziness and gout account for that débutante slouch of mine. But of course if you care to hold my hand----"
The girl looked at him, vexed, yet laughing:
"I don't _want_ people who do not know you to think you really are the dub you pretend to be! Do you wish Miss Girard to believe it?"
"I know more about you than you think I do, Harry. Mr. Guild portrayed for me a few instances of your 'mouse'-like courage. And I don't wish you to lose your temper and be shot if the Uhlans ride into Lesse and insult us all! Therefore I approve of our sailing for home. And the sooner the better!"
"You frighten me," he said; "I think I'll ask Jean to pack my things now." And he got up, limping, and started for the door.
"Mother," she said, "that boar's tusks may poison him. Won't you make him let us bandage it properly?"
"I think you had better, Harry," said Mrs. Courland, rising.
"Harry!" That was all Valentine said. But he stopped short.
"Take his other arm, mother," said the girl with decision.
She looked over her shoulder at Karen; the two young girls exchanged a smile; then Valentine marched off with her colossal liar.
Michaud, head forester, had taken off his grey felt hat respectfully when Valentine introduced him to Guild, there in the lantern light of the winter sheep fold. A dozen or more men standing near by in shadowy groups had silently uncovered at the same time. Two wise-looking sheep dogs, squatted on their haunches, looked at him.
Then the girl had left Guild there and returned to the house.
"I should like to have a few moments quiet conversation with you," said Guild; and the stalwart, white-haired forester stepped quietly aside with him, following the younger man until they were out of earshot of those gathered by the barred gate of the fold.