And, besides, this mysterious “gang” of which he spoke so lightly would undoubtedly take advantage of his absence from the ranch to “get fresh” in earnest.
No, she must not ask his aid—not just now.
At the thought she sighed and it was such a deep and hearty sigh that the irrepressible Tavia giggled.
Dorothy started and half rose from her chair in dismay, so completely had she forgotten the presence of Tavia and Nat in the room. Meeting the laughing gaze of the two in the window seat she relaxed again, smiling a bit sheepishly, and gathered up the various pages of her letter.
“Was it so dreadfully sad, Doro?” teased Tavia. “Dare you to read me the last page?”
“That isn’t a fair dare and not a bit sporting of you, Tavia Travers,” retorted Dorothy, with mock primness. “Dare me something within the bounds of possibility and I may take you up!”
“Is he coming on soon?” Tavia persisted, and Dorothy slowly shook her head.
“He is very busy on the ranch,” she said, adding with an unsteady little laugh: “I guess any one who wants to see Garry in the near future will have to go out West.”
How little did she know that these words, spoken carelessly enough, were to prove prophetic!
The doctor came as he had promised at eleven o’clock and, after a thorough examination of the Major, talked gravely and seriously to Mrs. White and Dorothy.