"Tess, have you ever thought that, some time, we might be more to each other--some time in the future when you have learned and studied much?"
Wonderingly she drew her hands from his, hiding them in the folds of the torn gingham skirt.
"I air a squatter," she got out at last. "You be high--I air low, as Ben Letts said.... But, but," she faltered, finishing her sentence brokenly, "But I's yer squatter."
For one bitter moment the Longman child with its old-man face flitted across her vision. She shivered, rose hastily, and went to the stove, scattering the lids from their openings before uttering another word.
Frederick was watching her critically.
"You ought to go to school, Tess," he said presently.
"I has to stay here," she replied beginning to stir the embers. "If I left the hut alone yer pappy could fire it, and Daddy and me wouldn't have a home.... Ain't nice nights like this to be without a roof to cover ye."
Frederick realized this. Had he not been that very night with no place to lay his head, and no kindly hand save hers to give him something to eat? He flushed deeply at the mention of his father, and marveled that the squatter girl had not spoken with any hard feeling in her tone. It was what could be expected--so her voice implied; if she left the shanty alone, the rightful owner could then take back what the law would not allow if the squatters remained.
"Ye be a goin' to stay here to-morry?" asked Tess later by five minutes.
"If I may."
"Be ye goin' to tell me what ye air hidin' for?"
Frederick threw back his head and laughed. He had forgotten to tell her.
"Of course. You see I am the freshman class president.... The boys in the upper classes kidnaped me, and kept me prisoner in an unused house at the inlet.... I escaped last night, and you brought me here."
The story was so tame--so unlike what Tess had expected to hear that she drew a long, disappointed breath. There had been a vague wish within her heart that she were going to be of infinite benefit to him. It was such a little thing to lose a fine supper. His life had not been in danger as she had supposed.
"You understand, Tess, that it's a disgrace to our class not to have the president there," Frederick burst forth, "even if he is kept away by force. I would rather sacrifice anything than have it happen--only, I do not want to harm your good name, Tessibel."