"But one thing I do know"--his dark face gathered in a scowl--"if he doesn't come it will not be because he was not asked! That fellow carried a letter from Molly to him. I know that. Well, what do you-all think of me? What's my standing in all this? If I've not been shamed and humiliated, how can a man be? And what am I to expect?"
"If we get through, if Molly lives, you mean?"
"Yes. I don't quit what I want. I'll never give her up. You give me leave to try again? Things may change. She may consider the wrong she's done me, an honest man. It's his hanging around all the time, keeping in her mind. And now we've sent for him--and so has she!"
They walked apart, Wingate to his wagon.
"How is she?" he asked of his wife, nodding to Molly's wagon.
"Better some ways, but low," replied his stout helpmate, herself haggard, dark circles of fatigue about her eyes. "She won't eat, even with the fever down. If we was back home where we could get things! Jess, what made us start for Oregon?"
[pg 260]
"What made us leave Kentucky for Indiana, and Indiana for Illinois? I don't know. God help us now!"
"It's bad, Jesse."