Ann and Nora had returned when Bruce reached the Manzanita House and in the former's room a few moments later, after he had reported on Lytton's slow gaining of strength, Bayard said to her,
"Do you believe what I tell you, ma'am?"
She looked at him as though she did not get his meaning, but saw he was in earnest and replied,
"I've never doubted a thing you've told me."
"Then I want you to believe one more thing I'm goin' to tell you, an' I don't want you to ask me any questions about it, cause I'm so hogtied—that is, situated, ma'am—that I can't answer any. I just want to tell you never to let your husband go back to th' Sunset mine."
"Never to let him? Why, when he's himself again that's where his work will be—"
"I can't help that, ma'am. All I can say is, not to let him. It means more to you than anybody can think who don't know th' ways of men in a country like this. Just remember that, an' believe that, will you?"
"You want him to give up everything?"
"All I want, ma'am, is for you to say you'll never let him go there."
Finally, she unwillingly, uncomprehendingly, agreed to do all she could to prevent Ned's return to the mining camp.