Joan reached out a timid hand, while her troubled violet eyes looked into Buck's face as though fascinated. The man moved a step nearer, and the small hand closed over the battered nugget.
"Take it," he said encouragingly. "It's an expression of the good feelings of the boys. An' I don't guess you need be scared of them."
Joan took the gold, but there was no smile in her eyes, no thanks on her lips. She stepped back to her doorway and passed within.
"I'm tired," she said, and her words were solely addressed to Buck. He nodded, while she closed the door. Then he turned about.
"Wal!" he said.
And his manner was a decided dismissal.