Do you know, if your face were clean, I think you'd look almost human,--for an outlaw." She started on up the trail, nonchalantly leading her captive by the rope.

Gil Huntley could have wriggled an arm loose and freed himself, but he did not.

He wanted to see what she was going to do with him.
He grinned when she had her back turned toward him, but he did not say anything for fear of spoiling the joke or offending her in some way.
So presently Jean began to feel silly, and the joke lost its point and seemed inane and weak.
She turned back, threw off the loop that bound his arms to his sides, and coiled the rope.

"I wish you play-acting people would keep out of the country," she said impatiently.

"Twice you've made me act ridiculous.