"
"Back where? To your mountains?"
"Yes."
"You'd be recognized and attacked before you could get out of the
city. I won't let you."
"That wouldn't do, for a fact. Perhaps it would be safer to wait.
I've made enough trouble for one day by my blunder-headed
thoughtlessness."
"Is that what you call rescuing the flag?"
"Oh, rescuing!" he said slightingly. "What difference does it make
what vermin like that mob do? Just for a whim, to endanger all of
you."
She stared at him in amaze and suspicion. But he was quite honest.
"MY whim," she reminded him.
"Yes; I suppose it was," he admitted thoughtfully. "When I saw you
crying, I lost my head, and acted like a child."
"Then it was all my fault?"
"Oh, I don't say that. Certainly not. I'm master of my own
actions. If I hadn't wanted--"
"But it was my fault this much, anyway, that you wouldn't have
done it except for me."
"Yes; it was your fault to that extent," he said honestly. "I hope
you don't mind my saying so."
"Oh, beetle man, beetle man!" She leaned forward, her eyes deep-
lit pools of mirth and mockery and some more occult feeling that
he could not interpret.
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