"Did you now? Ike's one of my boys. What was he doin'?"
"He was—" Jeff fumbled. "Darned if I haven't forgotten!"
Her laugh was like rippling water. "He was in jail for stealin' chickens. You can say it, Jeff. It takes all kinds to make a family. My Tommy's a doctor, my Joel's a lawyer, my Billy's a sailor—" She named four more sons, all of whom were in some useful occupation, and finished, "They all followed their natural bent and Ike just naturally took to chicken stealin'." She turned to Dan. "You kin to Johnny Blazer?"
Dan said bashfully, "He was my pop."
"Come in," she invited. "Come in and set down to gingerbread and milk. I vow I've missed Johnny and I'm glad to have his kin! You come, too, Jeff, and fetch your dog!"
Jeff looked at the rifle. "Have you been hunting?"
"Land no!" She laughed. "I was shootin' at Brant Severance!"
"You—!"
"Didn't hit him," she said. "Didn't aim to hit him. Just wanted to show him he couldn't pester my sheep."
"But—isn't there—"