"I believe you were. Was she?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Murphy.
"She were stunned like from the fall, but was so busy settin' the boy's arm, she didn't think of herself."
"Ah." Then turning to Esther again, he questioned her.
The family observed every tone in the questions and answers.
During the setting of the arm, they had watched Esther with open-mouthed astonishment.
"I tell yer, schoolma'am," remarked Joseph, "I bet yer life yer'll hev all yer kin do in Gila, now."
"I should think she already had enough to do," suggested Kenneth.
Here Mrs. Murphy, suddenly realizing that certain amenities had been omitted, blurted out:
"This is my son, Joseph Young; my daughter, Mandy Young you've knowed already; my son Samuel Young, my son Jacob Black, yer've knowed at school, 'n' my daughter Kate Black, 'n' Brigham Murphy, aged six, 'n' Kathleen, aged four, 'n' Nora, aged two."
Mrs. Murphy paused. Samuel at once took the floor.