A girl like her had no place in our lives.

I went out for a walk and a smoke by the bluff edge; and, almost before I knew it, I found myself standing at the border of the grove, looking at the great house and trying to guess which was her room and if she was there and of what or whom she might be thinking just then.

"Mark my words, son," Captain Jed had declared, "the feller that plays with fire takes chances." I turned on my heel and set out for home.

I would take no chances.

I must not play with fire, even though the flames had, for the moment, dazzled me.