"I know you'll hate it," she said weakly, "but—I want to thank you. They tell me "—her brown eyes went past him to where her husband stood—"Chris tells me that you saved my life." 

Feathers managed a laugh. 

"Chris exaggerates," he said uncomfortably. "I happened to be lucky enough to pull you out—that was all. I hope you'll soon feel yourself again." 

"Thank you, yes." He was still holding her hand, and, suddenly realizing it, he let it go abruptly. 

Chris had gone to the door with the doctor, and for a moment Marie and Feathers were alone. 

"Mr. Dakers," she said hesitatingly. 

"Yes." 

Her brown eyes were raised to his ugly face appealingly. 

"I was horrid to you this morning, I know! It was—hateful of me! But there was a reason . . . some day I'll tell you." 

He fidgeted uncomfortably. "Oh, don't worry, Mrs. Lawless; it's all right." 

"Yes, but it isn't," she insisted weakly. "And I want to say that— that if you would still like me to look upon you as—as a sort of big brother" . . . she smiled tremulously. 

46 Feathers frowned so heavily that his eyes almost vanished beneath their shaggy brows. 

46

"All this because I pulled you out of two feet of water?" he growled. 

Tears swam into her eyes. 

"It was a good deal more than two feet of water, and you know it was! And—and—it isn't anything to do with that at all! It's just you—you yourself! I should like to have you for a friend." 

There was a little silence, then Feathers held out his hand. 

47 

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