“In the house, son. She’s all right. Want to see her?”
Both boys nodded and walked toward the steps, while the two men talked together in low tones.
The boys found their mother sitting calmly by the window. As she saw them she smiled slightly, and Roy and Teddy drew deep breaths of relief. They had been afraid—even more than they would admit to themselves—of how she would bear up. But her smile told them they need have no fear. She was true blue, a real woman of the West. She would face the trouble with the rest of them and stand her share of it. Lovingly she kissed her sons and looked searchingly into their eyes. What she found there seemed to satisfy her, for she said gently:
“Your father has been waiting for you, boys. We know all about it—Mrs. Ball telephoned. Teddy—Roy—it came suddenly, didn’t it? But we mustn’t worry too much. I know they’re all right! Somehow, I am sure of it. Nothing will happen to them. I’ve said a little prayer, and my Friend hasn’t failed me yet!” she finished brightly. “Now you must hurry, boys. Put on heavy clothes—you may have to ride far and long. I’ll see you before you leave. There!” and she kissed them again.
“You’re—you’re all right, Mother?” Roy faltered.
“All right? Of course I’m all right!” her eyes expressed well simulated surprise. “Why shouldn’t I be? We’ll have them back before to-morrow night!”
“That’s what Mrs. Ball said!” Teddy exclaimed, a light coming into his eyes. “And I believe we shall, Mother! Dad knows this country like a book, and so do we. By golly, we’ll show ’em what chance they have against a bunch of real Westerners—those New York sneak thieves, who think they’re bad men! We’ll track ’em down an’ salivate ’em!”
“Good!” exclaimed Mrs. Manley firmly. “That’s the way I like to hear my boys talk! You find them—and—and salivate them!”
As the boys returned to the yard, a great weight seemed lifted from their hearts. That it had fallen to the heart of their mother, they did not know. Her willing spirit had taken much of the burden from their souls, embracing it as her own. How could they know that it had passed from them to her with their mother’s kiss!
Now they felt confident, sure of success. Their steps were firm, their hands steady. And as their father saw them, he sensed the wonder that had been performed and silently blessed his wife. In that hour she may have lost her boys, but she had gained two men.