He left her sitting with her head leaning on her hand in deep and sorrowful meditation. He had built a fire in the stove and got their supper well under way before she joined him.
While Sinth was making her tearful protest, the children sat on a log outside the door and were much depressed.
"Somebody's gone and done something to her album," Sue whispered. The album was, in her view, the storm-centre of the camp.
After Strong had gone to work getting supper ready the two came stealthily to the knees of their aunt.
"Aunt Sinthy," Socky whispered.
"What?" she asked, turning and beginning to smooth his hair with her hand.
"I'm going to buy you a new album." He spoke in a low, tentative, troubled tone. The boy's resources would seem to be equal to every need.
Sinth shook with silent laughter. In a moment she kissed the boy and girl and drew them to her breast with a little moan of fondness. Then she rose and went to help her brother.
A little before sundown they heard the report of a rifle which had been fired within a mile of camp. Strong stood listening and could hear distant voices. He walked down the trail and returned in half an hour.
"It's B-Business," he said to Sinth. "His army is c-comin'."