Page:Milady at Arms (1937).pdf/234

 Zenas cleared his throat; but for all that his voice, when he spoke, was rough-edged. "Nay, I—I—know not!" And a little silence came upon them. Then Zenas spoke again. "Who was the man who did fall?" he whispered.

Sally shook her head, realized that Zenas could not see her in the darkness, and answered aloud: "Methinks it was Master Crane, though I could not tell."

"Why say ye that?" asked Zenas wonderingly.

"Only save that Stockton be so much a rogue!" she whispered back. She pulled herself to her knees upon the warm earth, got stiffly to her feet.

"Where be going?" inquired Zenas, springing hastily to his feet also.

"Down the bank to see what happened," Sally told him laconically, suiting action to words.

"Stay!"

"What!" Sally halted abruptly, tried to see the boy's face as he stood above her. "Why bid me stay, Zenas?" she demanded.

Zenas scrambled down to her. "Nay, this be no place for a maid," he said anxiously. "And no sight awaits ye that ye should see!"

"Tush!" said Sally roundly. "Not that I can see, dark as it be! This be war, though, Zenas—and I be no city maid, ready to swoon at sight o' blood!"

"Ye did swoon this day," began Zenas.