Deep down in him Peter felt something he had never felt before.

For the first time in his life he had no desire to run away from the man.

Something rose up from his bony little chest, and grew in his throat, until it was a babyish snarl so low that no human ears could hear it.

And in his hiding-place his needle-like fangs gleamed under snarling lips.
But the man did not strike, nor did he reach out to grip his fingers in the silken mass of Nada's hair.

He laughed, as if something was choking him, and turned away with a toss of his arms.
"You ain't seein' me hit her any more, are you, Nady ?" he said, and disappeared around the end of the cabin.
The girl laid a hand on the woman's arm.