"I'm so glad you came," Joan went on impulsively. "So glad, so glad. I've been in camp to order things for--for my aunt's coming. You know your Padre told me to send for her. I mailed the letter this morning."
In a moment the whole hideous position of the Padre came upon him, smothering all his own personal feelings, all his pleasure, all his doubts and fears.
"Why--yes." Joan's eyes opened wide in alarm. "Have I done wrong? He said, send for her."
Buck shook his head and moved out of the stall.
"You sure done dead right. The Padre said it."
"Then what was the meaning in your--what you said?"
Joan eyed him a moment in some doubt. Then she passed the matter over, and again the pleasure at his coming shone forth.
"Oh, Buck," she cried, "there are some mean people in the world. I've been talking to that horror, Beasley. He is a horror, isn't he? He's been telling me something of the talk of the camp. He's been telling me how--how popular I am," she finished up with a mirthless laugh.
Buck's whole expression had changed at the mention of Beasley's name. Joan had no reason to inquire his opinion of the storekeeper.
"You wouldn't," she hastened on. "You could never understand such wicked meanness as that man is capable of. I'm sure he hates me, and only told me these--these things to make me miserable. And I was feeling so happy, too, after seeing your Padre," she added regretfully.
"An' what are the things he's been sayin'?"
"Oh, I can't tell you what he said, except--except that the men think I'm responsible for the death of those two. The other things were too awful. It seems I'm--I'm the talk of the camp in--in an awful way. He says they hate me. But I believe it's simply him. You see, he's tried to--to ingratiate himself with me--oh, it's some time back, and I--well, I never could stand him, after that time when the boys gave me the gold. I wish they had never given me that gold. He still persists it's unlucky, and I--I'm beginning to think so, too."
"Did he--insult you?" Buck asked sharply, ignoring the rest.
Joan looked quickly into the man's hot eyes, and in that moment realized the necessity for prudence. The fierce spirit was shining there. That only partly tamed spirit, which made her so glad when she thought of it.