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“I’m sorry I was so stupid about… crying when you drove off that… that horrible horse. But I was awfully frightened, and you shouted at me.”

“Well, you ought to have known better than to go into that paddock.”

His tone was still a trifle dogged, but it was distinctly softened.

“How could I know? I’m ignorant of all the things that are just a matter of course to you; but then, on the other hand, I probably know a few things you don’t.”

“Those things aren’t important.”

“Not to you—but to others they are. There’s a pretty big slice of the world outside New Zealand, you know.” Directly the words were spoken, she regretted them. “I’m sorry I said that, but still it’s true. It’s narrow-minded to think that nothing outside your own little experience matters.”

“I’ll be narrow-minded then,”

“Well, I won’t. I’m going to get you to teach me lots of things.”

“Are you? I’m not so sure.”

“I am. You’re obstinate and self-willed, but you’re kind too.”

“You seem to know a lot about me.”

“I do—you’re honest and brave.”

“Anything more?”

“Oh, lots—I’ve only told you the nice things. The others would take too long.”

He laughed. “Obstinate and self-willed! That isn’t very nice, is it? Well, here we are at the stockyard. You’ll have to tell me the rest some other time.”

She shook her head, smiling at him.

“No, we none of us want to be told the bad things.