Seems as if I'm almost a daddy to you, and I've only knowed you for a few weeks--" "Go ahead and tell me; I won't be offended," insisted the girl.

"You must.

I don't know much about such things, for I've lived all my life with men like father and Poleon, and the priests at the Mission, who treat me just like one of themselves.

But somebody will want to marry me some day, I suppose, so I ought to know what is wrong with me." She flushed up darkly under her brown cheeks.
The feeling came over Corporal Thomas that he had hurt a helpless animal of some gentle kind; that he was bungling his work, and that he was not of the calibre to go into the social amenities.

He began to perspire uncomfortably, but went on, doggedly: "I'm goin' to tell you a story, not because it applies to Lieutenant Burrell, or because he's in love with you, which of course he ain't any more than you be with him--" "Of course," said the girl.
"-- but just to show you what I mean.