"Jake air here to see ye, Daddy," she said. "Sit down, Jake! He can't talk very loud, but ye can see he air awful glad to have ye here.... Daddy dear, Jake Brewer air tryin' to shake hands with ye."
Orn's great hand lifted slowly.
"Glad to see ye, Jake," he mumbled. "I ain't the best this mornin'!"
"Ye'll get better with the goin' of the warm weather," consoled Jake. "These days be hot now for the wellest of us."
"Yep," murmured Daddy Skinner, drowsily.
Tessibel left the two men alone, and went back to the kitchen. Her throat was filled with longing, her lips drawn a little closer together. She sat down near the door, looking out upon the lake. She dared not open the letter then, not until Jake had gone and Daddy was asleep.
Brewer came out quietly, his cheerful manner subdued somewhat.
Tess got to her feet. She tried to smile, but the serious expression on the squatter's face brought her quickly to his side.
"Jake," she murmured, quick-breathed, "ye think he air awful sick, eh?"
Brewer shifted his gaze out through the door. The sight of the girl's pleading face hurt him.