g in spite of his ruggedness, and she warmed to him in
consequence.

"But I really was sorry," she protested. "And I knew I ought to have
told you so before. But, somehow"--she flushed under his eyes--"I hadn't
the courage. Besides, I didn't know you."

"It wasn't a very serious offence, was it?" he asked.

"I should have been furious in your place," she said.

"It takes more than that to make me angry," said Jeff Ironside.

She put out her hand to him impulsively, the flush still in her cheeks.

"I am still perfectly furious with myself," she told him, "whenever I
think about it."

His hand enclosed hers in an all-enveloping grasp. "Then I shouldn't
think about it any more if I were you," he said.

"Very well, I won't," said Doris; adding with her own quaint air of
graciousness, "and thank you for being so friendly about it."

He released her hand somewhat abruptly and got to his feet. "How is your
shoulder now? Any better?"

"Oh, yes, it's better," she assured him. "Only rather stiff. Now, won't
you sit down and have your breakfast? Please don't bother about me any
more; I've wasted quite enough of your time."

He turned towards the table. "You must have some too. And then, when
you're ready, I will drive you home."

"Oh, but that will waste your time still more," she protested. "I'm sure
I can walk."

"I'm sure you won't try," he rejoined with blunt deliberation. "I hope
you don't mind eating in the kitchen, Miss Elliot. I would have had a
fire in the parlour if I had expected you."

"But, of course, I don't mind," she said. "And it's quite the finest old
kitchen I've ever seen."

He turned to the old woman who still hovered in the background. "All
right, Granny. Sit down and have your own."

"I'll wait on the lady first, Master Jeff," she returned, smiling upon
him.

"No. I'm going to wait on the lady," said Jeff. "You sit down."

He had his way. It occurred to Doris that he usually did so. And
presently he was waiting upon her as she lay against the cushions, as
though she had been a princess in distress.

Their intimacy progressed steadily during the meal, and very soon
Doris's shyness had wholly worn away. She could not quite decide if Jeff
were shy or not. He was obviously quiet by nature. But his grimness
certainly disappeared, and more than once she found herself wondering at
his consideration and thought for her.

He went out after breakfast to put in the horse, and at once his old
h