“I’ve been sick a long time, haven’t I?” he asked.
“Yes,” the girl replied, drawing up a chair and seating herself. “Hit’s more’n six weeks that Uncle Jep an’ me has been takin’ care of you.”
He lifted her hand and stroked it softly.
“A body gets mighty tired of a sick fellow,” he said wistfully.
Judith’s eyes filled at the pitiful little plea, but she could not offer endearments to Huldah’s husband.
“I ain’t tired of you,” she returned in a low, choked voice. “I most wisht I was. Creed——”
She slipped from her chair dropping on her knees beside him.
“Creed, I want to tell you now while I can do it that the boys is gone to get Huldy. She can take care of you after this—but I’ll help. I ain’t mad about it. I was aimin’ to tell you that the next time she come in you should bid her stay. God knows I want ye to be happy—whether it’s me or another.”
Bewilderment grew in the blue eyes regarding her so fixedly.
“Huldah?” he repeated. And then again in a lower, musing tone, “Huldah.”