"Yep, damn it! ye can. Bring all the dogs in Tarrytown; but be back tomorry night."
"I'll come, all right; but I'm goin' now."
As the girl turned to go, Lem lumbered to his feet.
"I've got somethin' to say about this!" he stuttered.
"Sit down, Lem!" commanded Lon.
Crabbe stood still.
"That gal don't go back tonight! She's mine! Ye gived her to me, and I want her now."
Lem wriggled his body between Fledra and the stairs; but the girl thrust herself upon him with an angry snarl.
"Don't touch me with your dirty hands!" she gasped.
Lem caught his breath.
"Ye've let that rich pup of a Shellington kiss ye--ye don't move from here!"
Fledra crushed back against the cabin wall and eluded his searching fingers.
"I was goin' to marry Mr. Shellington; but I ain't now. I'm going back to him for tonight, and tomorrow, and I'm goin' to let him kiss me, and I'm goin' to kiss him."
She put forward her face until her breath swept Lem's skin.
"I'm goin' to kiss him as much--as much as he'll let me. And I'm goin' to write Fluke; and, if ye touches me afore I does all that--I'll kill ye!"
Lena drew back from her vehemence, leaving the way of the staircase clear, and in another instant Fledra was gone.