Mavericks

She began to roll up the embroidery upon which she was busy. But he got
to the door before her.

"No, you don't."

"You are not going to make me tell you why I can't go with you, are
you?"

"That, to start with. Then I'm going to make you tell me some other
things."

"But if I don't want to tell?" Her eyes were wide open with surprise,
for he had never before taken the masterful line with her. Deep down,
she liked it; but she had no intention of letting him know so.

"There are times not to tell, and there are times to tell. This will be
one of the last kind, Phyllis."

She tried mockery. "When you throw a big chest like that I suppose you
always get what you want."

"You act right funny, girl. I never see you alone any more. We haven't
had a good talk for more than a week. Now, why?"

She thought of telling him she had been too busy; then, moved by an
impulse of impatience, met his gaze fully, and told him part of the
truth.

"I should think you would understand that a girl has to be careful of
what she does!"

"You mean about us being friends?"

"Oh, we can be friends, but----If you can't see it, then I can't tell
you," she finished.

"I can see it, I reckon. You saved my life, and I expect some human cat
got his claws out and said it was because you were fond of me.

"Then you saved it again by your nursing. No two ways about that. Doc
Brown says you and Jim did. I was so sick folks knew it had to be. But
now I'm getting well, you have to show them you're not interested in me.
Isn't that about it?"

"Yes."

"But you don't have to show me, too, do you?"

"Am I not--courteous?"

"I ain't worrying any about your courtesy. But, look here, Phyllie. Have
you forgotten what happened in the kitchen that night you helped me to
escape?"

She flashed him one look of indignant reproach. "I should think you
would be the last person in the world to remind me of it."

"I've got a right to mention it because I've asked you a question since
that ain't been answered.

Mary Johnston (November 21, 1870 May 9, 1936) was an American novelist and womens rights advocate. The daughter of an American Civil War soldier who became a successful lawyer, Mary Johnston was born in the small town of Buchanan, Virginia. A small and frail girl, she was educated at home by family and tutors. She grew up with a love of books and was financially independent enough to devote herself to writing.

Various, or Various Production, is an English dubstep/electronic music duo formed in 2003. The group blends samples, acoustic and electronic instrumentation, and singing from a revolving cast of vocalists. Its members, Adam and Ian, purposefully give very little information about the group or themselves, and tend to do little in the way of self-promotion.[1] Nevertheless, the group began winning critical acclaim with its single releases in 2005 and 2006.[2] Their full-length for XL, The World is Gone, arrived in July of 2006.[3][4][5][6][7] They have released a large number of vinyl EPs and 7 records, as well as digital exclusives for Rough Trade, iTunes, and Boomkat.[8]