To be refused at this time was not pleasant.

The feeling that he was on the outside grew stronger.
Turning to his own horse, Ollie placed his foot in the stirrup to mount, when Sammy spoke,--perhaps she felt that she had been a little unkind--"You were going to stay to supper," she said.
"Not to-night," he answered, gaining his seat in the saddle, and picking up the reins.
"But you are going to leave in the morning, are you not?
You--you must not go like this." He dropped the reins to the horse's neck again, "Look here, Sammy, do you blame me because I did not fight that big bully ?" Sammy did not reply.
"What could I do?
You know there is not another man in the mountains beside Young Matt who could have done it.

Surely you cannot blame me." The young woman moved uneasily, "No, certainly not.

I do not blame you in the least.

I--but it was very fortunate that Young Matt was there, wasn't it ?" The last sentence slipped out before she knew.
Ollie retorted angrily, "It seems to be very fortunate for him.