Horace racked his mind for a truthful answer. Had he been unfair to Fledra?
"Floyd," he said softly, "your sister and I have had some words; but we shall soon understand each other--I know we shall!"
"What did ye say to Flea?"
"I can't tell you, Floyd, because I promised her I would not."
The boy writhed under the warm blankets.
"She's always makin' folks promise not to tell things," he moaned. "It's because you're mad at her, that's what makes her cry so, and I can't do anything for her. Can't you, Brother Horace?"
"She won't let me, Floyd."
"Did ye ask her?"
"Many times."
"Would she let ye if I asked her?"
"No, Floyd, you must not! I promised her that I would not speak with you about her unhappiness." Horace ejaculated his reply so emphatically that Floyd looked at him curiously.
"But I can't die and leave her that way, and I'm a goin' soon. Sometimes my heart jest stands still, and won't start again till I lose all my breath. A feller can't live that way, can he, Brother Horace?"
"It will pass off; of course, it will--it must!" Horace looked into the worn, suffering young face, and a resolution took possession of him.
"Floyd," he said huskily, "Floyd, if I tell you something, will you keep it from my sister and yours?"
"Yes," murmured Flukey.
"I love Fledra, and want to make her my wife. Does that help you any, to know that I shall always watch her and care for her?"
Flukey searched the earnest face bent over him.
"Ye love her?"
"Very much, very much indeed. But she is young yet--only a little girl."
"Did ye tell her that ye loved her?"
"Yes."
"Did she say she loved you?"
"Yes."
Flukey groaned.
"Then it's something else than that, because I've known for a long time that Flea loved ye. What's the matter? What's the matter with ye both?"
"Floyd, when I tell you that I do not know," answered Horace, "will you believe me?"
"Did ye want her to tell ye somethin'--something that'll keep ye from takin' her now?" Horace's silence drew an outpouring from Flukey. "And I suppose she said she wouldn't--and ye won't take her unless she tells ye. Then ye'll never get her; for, when Flea says she won't, she won't, if she dies for it! Ain't ye lovin' her well enough to take her, anyway?"