"What do ye want, Mr. Waldstricker?"
It was hard for Waldstricker to tell just what he did want when that pair of red-brown eyes were gazing at him.
"I think I'll dismount," he said suddenly.
Throwing one leg over the broad back of the horse, he slipped to the ground. The bridle over his arm, he walked toward the girl until she was standing but a step away.
"You haven't any news of Bishop for me, I suppose?" he asked.
Tess grew suddenly intuitive. Immediately she knew he had not come to ask her about Andy. She shook her head, her tongue cleaving to the roof of her mouth.
"Have you done anything to locate him?" persisted Waldstricker.
He was feeling his way to bring in the other matter, and looking more closely at the girl, he reluctantly admitted to himself she was beautiful.
"My daddy's been awful sick," said Tess quickly. "I ain't much time to do anything but take care of 'im an' sing in the church."
Waldstricker was not interested in the sick squatter, so he gave no sign of sympathy. Rather, he wanted to come to the crucial point immediately, but Tess was so unapproachable that he remained quiet a few embarrassing moments to think of the right thing to say.