She tripped away, Bob standing watching her. Almost he expected to hear a little cry of pain and to be called to her help, but seemingly the ankle was quite well.
He watched her out of sight, then his eyes wandered over his own person--his clothes seemed more earth-stained than ever; his shirt, that had been clean that morning, was splashed with liquid mud.
"She's right," he said, softly, "no decent woman would marry a dirty fellow like me."
He stood hesitatingly, then turned away towards his hut. There he got water and scoured himself almost savagely, then changed his clothes, and somewhat sheepishly, if the truth be told, made his way towards the Paradise Hotel.
It was pretty full; everyone had knocked off work for the day--the whole camp was spending the evening convivially--they hailed Bob with delight. Someone thrust a pewter pot into his hand, bade him drain it, and give them a song.
Bob looked round at the presiding goddess.
"If it's quite agreeable to all, I'll be happy," he said.
His look asked for Mariposas' permission. She did not answer for a moment, but looked him all over; he felt himself colouring.
"You've not been working to-day, have you, Bob?" she said.
He blushed painfully, and, their attention thus drawn, the whole camp noticed his spotless cleanliness.
"Then you've been getting married, or going to a christening since?"
He looked her full in the face. "Yes," he answered, "that's it. I'm sweethearting."
There was a chorus of good-humoured laughter at this. They thought he was joking, all but the girl: she knew better, but she did not mean to spare him.
[Illustration: "'YOU MUST GO AWAY FROM HERE,' SHE SAID."]
"Then you must go away from here," she said. "We won't ask her name; but, like as not, she'd prefer that you should spend your time with her. When you're married and want to get away from her nagging, you may come back."
The men laughed, they thought it was a good joke.
"Shan't I give you the song?" Bob asked, humbly.
"No, thank you," the girl answered. "Steve is going to sing with me."
He looked at his partner and smiled. Steve had a voice about as melodious as the jay-bird.
All the men looked at Mariposas, waiting for her to speak. They thought in some way Bob had offended.