What it was that disturbed and angered her she could not have told, but she could not see Nancy sitting so—and—and—looking as she looked!
Mary strode across the room, causing Nancy to start nervously.
"What ails yo'?" Mary asked, "you look powerful sorry."
"I'm—I'm frightened, Mary."
Oddly enough, it was easy to speak frankly to the stern, plain woman across the hearth. And it was easy for Mary, after her first glance, to be ready with anything that could comfort the girl near her.
"What frightened yo'—the storm? I thought 'bout you."
"Yes—the storm, but—Mary, who lives on Thunder Peak?"
Some people are unnerved by surprise; Mary was always steadied.
"There ain't any one," she said, quietly, and leaned over to light the fire; the afternoon was growing chilly.
"Who used to live there, Mary? There is a cabin there."