Keeping off the subject was difficult, for the two were so far apart, their viewpoints so widely removed, that they had little or no matter on which to converse, aside from Yavapai and its people; and of the community Bayard was the outstanding feature for them both.
"How long have you been here, Nora?" Ann asked.
"Three years; ever since Bruce got me my job."
There you were!
"Do you like it here?"
"Well, folks have showed me a good time; Bruce especially."
Again the talk was stalled.
"Were you born out here?"
"Yes; that's why I ain't got much education ... except what Bruce gave me."
Once more; everything on which they could converse went directly back to Bayard and, finally, Ann abandoned the attempt to avoid the embarrassing subject and plunged resolutely into it, hoping to dissipate the intangible barrier that was between them.