"If you're really sorry," she said, "I'll forgive you."

Rufus regarded her for several seconds in silence, a slow smile dawning
in his eyes. "Thank you," he said finally.

"You are sorry then?" insisted Columbine.

He shook his great bull-head, the smile still in his eyes. "I wouldn't
have missed it for anything," he said.

There was no perceptible familiarity in the remark, and Columbine, after
brief consideration, decided to dismiss it without discussion. "Well,
let it be a lesson to you, and don't you ever do such a thing again!"
she said severely. "For I won't have you or any man lay hands on me--not
even in fun."

"All right," said Rufus.

He thrust his hands deep into his pockets as if to remove all cause of
offence, and was rewarded by a swift smile from Columbine. The storm had
blown away.

"I'll lay for four after all," she said, as she whisked out of the room.

Rufus was still seated in solitary state in the kitchen when Mrs. Peck
returned from the little coffee-room where she had been serving her
guest.

She peered round with caution ere she came close to him and spoke.