She laughed, and picked up the reins.
"Well, dad'll never leave this quarter," she said decisively, "if that's what the Colonel wants."
The evangelist shook his head. "'Thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house,'" he quoted sadly. "Now, if you come to the Fort to live——"
"Matthews could move into the shack."
"Hardly that, with the backing you have. The boys at the post would never see Matthews take your home. Believe me, as long as you and your father care to live here, you can. Public opinion over there"—he pointed to Brannon—"is strong in your favour. And there is Lounsbury, too. Why, that man is helpless."
She averted her face.
"So you will lose nothing by coming to the Fort," he persisted, "while you may save a great deal—your lives!"
"Dad will never go to the Fort. He hates 'em like poison."
"Yes—yes—he's foolish and stiffnecked. For such is punishment meted out. See!" The ox-team was travelling toward them, prodded by the driver.