He would have to face the Little Woman if he went back; either as a deliberate liar, who lied to his wife to gain the freedom he might have had without resorting to deceit, or as the victim once more of crooks.

Casey thought he would prefer the accusation of lying deliberately to the Little Woman, though it made him squirm to think of it.

He wished she had not openly taunted him with getting into trouble and needing her always to get him out.
He would like to tell her that he was now working for the government.
The secrecy of his mission, the danger it involved, would impress even her amused cynicism.

But the very secrecy of his mission in itself made it impossible for him to tell her anything about it.

Casey would not admit it, but it was a real disappointment to him that he could not wear a star on his coat.
All that day and evening he was glum, a strange mood for Casey Ryan.
But if Mack Nolan noticed his silence, he gave no sign.