Jessica's mirth fades rapidly as well. She feels the same sense of guilt for some inexplicable reason—not guilt at missing classes; but guilt for sharing a fun moment with this boy.

Her face becomes sober once more and she turns away from Jim as her father dismounts and barks an order for the stablehand to cool off his horse. She lifts up the rope over which they had bonded, and starts to coil it around her left elbow and shoulder. She says nothing else, and she doesn't chance a look back either.