"Give it to him an' tell him 'God bless him' for me," she added.
Cherry walked off slowly and Anne stood in the doorway watching her. When she had gone a few yards she stopped and came back.
"But father——" she began and paused awkwardly.
Anne's face took on a strange look. She stepped down from the doorway and confronted Cherry.
"Say—did Bill spring that man-killin' joke on Old Silent?" she asked.
Cherry nodded.
"Well, I'm blistered!" she exclaimed. "Leave it with me—I'll make him straighten that out himself."
And Cherry went off with a light heart.
That night Keith McBain came into the room where Cherry and King were sitting. King was preparing to leave for his shack—in spite of the protests of Mrs. Hurley—confident that he was able to get about and look after himself quite well with the help of old Gabe, who was going to stay with him. McBain came upon the two somewhat abruptly. When they looked up he was standing within a few feet of them, his old face beaming with a light that had not shone there for months.
"Cherry, girl," he said, coming towards her and holding his arms out to her, "it's all right!"