His steps were muffled in the soft footing, so that she had no warning of his presence until he was near enough to distinguish her dimly where she leaned against the log wall of a half-completed cabin.
To his question, "What's the trouble here ?" she made no answer, but moved away, whereupon he detained her.

"There's something wrong.

Who are you, anyhow ?" "It's only Necia, Mr.Stark," said the girl, at which he advanced and took her by the arm.
"What ails you, child?
What in the world are you doing here?
Come! It's only a step to my cabin; you must come in and rest awhile, and you'll soon be all right.

Why, you'll break your neck in this darkness." She hung back, but he compelled her to go with him in spite of her unwillingness.
"Now, now," he admonished, with unusual kindliness for him; "you know you're my little friend, and I can't let you go on this way; it's scandalous.

I won't stand for it.