He saw her and in a moment, magically, his face changed. The cruel, lynx-like vindictiveness went out of it. He came to her smiling.
And Maud shrank, shrank visibly, so that he could not fail to see; then drew herself together, instinctively summoning her pride.
"I came to look for you," she told him, with icy aloofness. "Bunny is waiting to be moved."
He moved towards the passage by which she had entered the yard, and she walked beside him, very pale, very erect, yet tingling with a disgust that almost amounted to loathing.
They went a few yards in silence, then silence became a burden. She spoke.
"It is really quite unnecessary to trouble you. I am fully capable of moving him myself."
He turned his head towards her. "Say, Princess, what’s wrong?" he said.
She quivered afresh at his tone; it had the possessive quality that she so dreaded--was beginning to abhor.
She did not answer, and he passed on with scarcely a pause. "I know you can lift the boy; but it’s very bad for you, and not over good for him. Where’s the point of it anyway when you’ve got me at hand to do it for you?"
"It is quite unnecessary to trouble you," she said again, "unnecessary and absurd."
"All right, my girl," he said unexpectedly. "Call it just one of my whims and--humour it!"
She felt herself flush. His tone--though perfectly good-tempered--had been almost one of command. As they emerged from the stone passage into the outer yard she gave abrupt rein to her indignation.
"I really cannot submit to any interference in my care of Bunny. I told you so last night, and I meant it. He has always been my especial charge, and I cannot give him up."
Jake’s eyes were upon her, vigilant, intent, dominant. He spoke in a drawl that sounded to her slightly derisive. "Say, now, what will you do if Bunny is cured?"
She turned her face sharply from him. What would she do indeed? But the thing was an impossibility. She put the thought away from her.
"I am not discussing that," she said, speaking with a grim effort at calmness that cost her all her strength. "It is the present with which I am dealing now. I believe you mean to be kind, but----"
"You don’t say!" interjected Jake softly.
"But," she said again, with emphasis, "it is a mistaken kindness. I am very grateful to you for your help, but really you must let me do my share."