She felt that whatever she might say he was marching steadily over her defenses.

Somehow, everything that he said made them more intimate.
"There was a fellow from here came by our place," said Ambrose simply.
"Poly Goussard.

He told us about you--" "Talked about me!" cried Colina stormily.
"You should have heard what he said," said Ambrose with his venturesome, diffident smile.

"He thinks you are the most beautiful woman in the world!" Ambrose's eyes added that he agreed with Poly.
It was impossible for Colina to be angry at this, though she wished to be.

She maintained a haughty silence.
Ambrose faltered a little.
"I--I haven't talked to a white girl in a year," he said.