"They'll be worried, at home," she said quietly.
"A little worry beats a funeral," Billy retorted sententiously, instinctively mastering the situation because she was a woman and he must take care of her.

"I reckon I could--" He stopped abruptly and plucked savagely at a stubborn wing feather.
"Of course! You could ride over and bring back a horse!" She caught eagerly at his half-spoken offer.

"It's a lot of bother for you, but I--I'll be very much obliged." Her face was bright again.
"You'd be alone here--" "I'm not the least bit afraid to stay alone.

I wouldn't mind that at all." Billy hesitated, met a look in her eyes that he did not like to see there, and yielded.

Obviously, from her viewpoint that was the only thing to do.