Joe knew a rising concern and a quick flash of anger, but he controlled himself. "This is my son."
"Keep him here or I'll have him jailed for assault!"
Joe asked wonderingly, "Who did he assault?"
"First my Jeremy, then my Tommy, then my George! They—! All of them have bloody noses!"
"They called me a hayseed," Tad muttered grimly.
The woman turned on her heel and strode away. Tad stood expectant but defiant, awaiting the punishment he knew he would get. His eyes widened when Joe said quietly,
"Wash your face and come have some lunch, Tad."
"But, Pa—"
"When it's three to one," Joe explained, "it's not entirely sensible. But neither is it assault. Besides, didn't they call you a hayseed?"
Emma controlled a smile.