Doubler was hospitable and solicitous and supplied her with some soda biscuit and fresh beef and a tin cup full of delicious coffee. She refused to enter the cabin, and so he brought the food out to her and sat on the step beside her while she ate, betraying much interest in her.
Doubler asked no questions regarding her identity, and Sheila marveled much over this. But when she prepared to depart she understood why he had betrayed no curiosity concerning her.
“I reckon you’re that Langford girl?” he said.
“Yes,” returned Sheila, wondering. “I am Sheila Langford. But who told you? I was not aware that anyone around here knew me—except the people at the Double R.”
“Dakota told me.”
“Oh!” A chill came into her voice which instantly attracted Doubler’s attention. He looked at her with an odd smile.
“You know Dakota?”
“I have met him.”
“You don’t like him, I reckon?”
“No.”