But Barbara was already lost in a dream and Emma answered for her daughter, "Of course she wants to go."
Joe glanced at his wife, sensing another feminine puzzle here which no man would ever figure out. He understood Tad's bubbling excitement at the prospect of new horizons and new adventure, but Tad was a boy and such a reaction was natural. He did not completely grasp, as Emma did, that Barbara was youth too. Youth was for daring, and exploring, and the farthest point on the horizon would always be alluring. Joe grinned at his youngest children.
"Any of you got anything to say?"
Little Joe asked, "How far is Oregon?"
"Quite a piece, Joe."
"Oh." The youngster devoted himself seriously to thinking about this new problem that had arisen.
The relief that Joe felt at the way his children had taken the news expressed itself in a minor outburst. Joe said, "Doggone it!"
Emma said, "Is something wrong?"
"I must have been in quite a fluster when I got here. Left the mare mule's bridle lying on the ground. I'd better go pick it up."
Tad said happily, "I'll go with you, Pa."