Not even if he proved to be like the others.

And out of the greatness of the thought rose a greater thought--he would not so prove himself.
She did not speak.

Instead, in a glow of spirit and flesh, she reached out to his left hand and gently tried to remove it from the rein.

He did not understand; but when she persisted he shifted the rein to his right and let her have her will with the other hand.

Her head bent over it, and she kissed the teamster callouses.
For the moment he was stunned.
"You mean it ?" he stammered.
For reply, she kissed the hand again and murmured: "I love your hands, Billy.