The Colonel seemed absorbed in that eternal interrogation of the tent-top.
"Mine, you know"—Mac drew nearer still, and went on in the lowered voice—"mine's a special case. A man's bound to do all he can for his boys."
"I didn't know you had boys."
Mac jerked "Yes" with his square head. "Bobbie's goin' on six now."
"The others older?"
"Others?" Mac stared an instant. "Oh, there's only one more." He grinned with embarrassment, and hitched his head towards Kaviak.
"I guess you've jawed enough," said Maudie, leaving the others and coming to the foot of the bed.
"And Maudie's goin' back, too," said the sick man.
She nodded.
"And you're never goin' to leave her again?"