It was outside his business.

But, born and bred of the open country, it was as natural for him to recognize courage as it was for him to breathe.

And the girl's courage was unusual, now that he had time to think about it.

It was this thought of her coolness and her calm refusal to impose her case upon him with greater warmth that comforted him after a little.

A young and beautiful woman who was actually facing death would have urged her necessity with more enthusiasm, it seemed to him.