“It was nothing. She was tired. Aunt Sally always tires her, at first, good as she is and much as we love her. Mother is so quiet and gentle herself––”
“I understand, darlin’.”
“Ephraim, she must never know that dreadful thing the stranger said.”
“Captain, she’ll have to know.”
“She must not, I tell you! What am I for but to take care of and love her? Ned–but Ned’s only a little boy––”
“And you, my Jessie, are but a few years older than he.”
“I’m older than you, I believe! Is it only two days since I met that man in the canyon and things began to happen? It seems forever. As if I’d only lived these forty-eight hours, and all that went before was a dream.”
Ephraim stepped aside and regarded her shrewdly.
“Old words to come from so young a mouth, Lady Captain. Have you had any breakfast?”
“No. I don’t want any. Have you?”