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Show Page 71 without importance either-though somewhat overzealous in his duties. " "It is a fine thing to be important so long as you do not think yourself so," I replied. Just then came another knock at the open door and who should be waiting without but Richard himself. "I hope I am not intruding," he said, looking about at us. "Not at all," announced Walter, drawing him into the room. It was too warm for a fire, so we had let the flames die down and the only other light came from the pine knot set across the room. Glad I was there was little light to show my cheeks, which I knew were as red as the smoldering coals in the fireplace at the thought of what Richard may have overheard. Soon we were all seated on stools, the glow of pipes adding their light to the glow of the fire. Twig crept off to a darkened corner, his eyes large with wonder at the nearness of his new idol. "You do not wear your armor, lieutenant," said Walter. If I had not known Walter to be the sober man he was, I would have thought I heard a chuckle in his voice. "I have taken to wearing it only when I go into the forest or when I know the natives are expected in the settlement," Richard answered. "Indeed, I found it to be punishingly hot |