As a rule he was not a careful man in his speech, and the delicacy of this manoeuvre taxed his ingenuity to the utmost, for he loved the girl and feared to say too much.
"The Lieutenant is a smart young fellow," he began; "and it was slick work jumpin' all those claims.

It's just like him to befriend a girl like you--I've seen him do it before--" "What!" exclaimed Necia, "befriend other girls ?" "Or things just like it.

He's always doing favors that get him into trouble." "This couldn't cause him trouble, could it, outside of Stark's and Runnion's grudge ?" "No, I reckon not," assented the Corporal, groping blindly for some way of expressing what he wished to say.

"Except, of course, it might cause a lot of talk at headquarters when it's known what he's done for you and how he done it.

I heard something about it down the street this morning, so I'm afraid it will get to St.Michael's, and then to his folks." He realized that he was not getting on well, for the task was harder than he had imagined.
"I don't understand," said Necia.