He opened his lips to say more, took a long breath instead, closed them, and looked at Jack queerly.

For one reckless moment he meditated a plunge into that perfect candor which may be either the wisest or the most foolish thing a man may do in all his life.
"I didn't think you noticed it," he said, his voice lowered instinctively because of the temptation to tell the truth, and his glance wandering absently over to the corral opposite, where Surry stood waiting placidly until his master should have need of him.

"There has been a regular brick wall between us lately.

I felt it myself and I blamed you for it.

I--" "It wasn't my building," Jack cut in eagerly.