And that's all there is to it." "Thank you, partner," she returned with spirit, and changed the subject.

But her heart had given a little throb of dismay within her.

Full well she knew the reason of his reticence.
They parted before the _stoep_, he leading her animal away, she going within to attend to the many duties of her household.
She filled her thoughts with these resolutely during the morning, but in spite of this it was the longest morning she had ever known.
She was at length restlessly superintending the laying of lunch when Joe hurried in with the news that a _baas_ was waiting on the _stoep_ round the corner to see her.

The news startled her.

She had heard no sounds of arrival, nor had Burke returned.