Lily Sanderson's fate had not been hers, and her wonderful man-boy, without the threat of a blow, slow of speech and imperturbable, had conquered the big blacksmith.
"He's forced himself upon me all the time," she whispered to Billy.
"He's tried to run me, and beaten up every man that came near me.

I never want to see him again." Billy halted immediately.

Long, who was reluctantly moving to get out of the way, also halted.
"She says she don't want anything more to do with you," Billy said to him.

"An' what she says goes.

If I get a whisper any time that you've been botherin' her, I'll attend to your case.