There was a curious warning pleading in his voice.

“But I’ve nothing to lose,” she said fretfully. “If you knew what it is, you’d think I’d be glad to lose it. But are you afraid for yourself?”

“Ay!” he said briefly. “I am. I’m afraid. I’m afraid. I’m afraid o’ things.”

“What things?” she asked.

He gave a curious backward jerk of his head, indicating the outer world.

“Things! Everybody! The lot of ’em.”

Then he bent down and suddenly kissed her unhappy face.

“Nay, I don’t care,” he said. “Let’s have it, an’ damn the rest. But if you was to feel sorry you’d ever done it!”

“Don’t put me off,” she pleaded.